key: cord-0908749-8qpu8xrb
authors: Naik, B.Sadananda
title: Can a health care worker have sex in the time of COVID-19?
date: 2020-08-01
journal: Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.07.059
sha: 3f82ea4079edb7896b74e1b52b3879c593bdfbdb
doc_id: 908749
cord_uid: 8qpu8xrb

Covid-19 is not transmitted by sex but close proximity during the act could aide in spread of the disease. Health care workers by virtue of the nature of their work have higher chances of exposure to the virus and them indulging in sex needs risk reduction strategies.

showing the transmission of the infection by sexual contact as the infected persons and those who recovered have shown presence of virus in their semen. [4] Health care workers are by virtue of the very nature of their work, theoretically do get exposed to the virus on a daily basis despite of adequate safety precautions though they could be considered low risk exposures as per CDC norms.

[7] However, decisions regarding living in close intimacy or self-quarantine throughout the period of hospital work is purely a personal decision as there are no evidence-based guidelines available at present. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

So, it is imperative that a health care worker while indulging in sex life during time of COVID-19 to follow strict risk reduction strategies to self and the partner in the best interest of the community at large. However, as the knowledge regarding this novel virus is continuously evolving on regular basis, we have more questions than answers at present.

Funds received: nil Ethical clearance: not applicable J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f

Pathophysiology, Transmission, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Review

China Medical Treatment Expert Group for Covid-19. Clinical characteristics of 2019novel coronavirus infection in China

Clinical Characteristics and Results of Semen Tests Among Men with Coronavirus Disease

SARS-CoV-2 is not detectable in the vaginal fluid of women with severe COVID-19 infection