116
edits
Giardia: Difference between revisions
Added more mitigations and references.
Arubberdog (talk | contribs) |
(Added more mitigations and references.) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Giardia''' is a parasite that causes the diarrheal disease giardiasis. | '''Giardia''' is a parasite that causes the diarrheal disease giardiasis. It has a number of transmission routes and is highly infectious and can be spread by sexual contact especially in men who have sex with men. | ||
== Background == | == Background == | ||
Giardia is a parasite that cases the diarrheal disease giardiasis. | Giardia is a parasite that cases the diarrheal disease giardiasis.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-10-23 |title=Giardiasis |url=https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/giardiasis/ |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=nhs.uk |language=en}}</ref> It is very contagious and typically contracted from swallowing giardia germs, but can be easily picked up via touching contaminated surfaces. It can therefore be contracted sexually from sucking someone who has fucked someone with giardia, or from ass-to-ass transmissions from fisting, fingering and fucking. It would also be possible to be spread from sharing contaminated lube. It is good fisting hygiene to use gloves and to not share lube. | ||
It has a rapid onset and will result in chronic diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating and nausea within 12 to 24 hours of infection. Because of the risk of infecting others, and in terms of trying to track and manage the spread, if you have chronic diarrhea for more than 48 hours you should contact your doctor or sexual health clinic and ask for a test. Note that the symptoms are very similar to [[shigella]]. | It has a rapid onset and will result in chronic diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating and nausea within 12 to 24 hours of infection. Because of the risk of infecting others, and in terms of trying to track and manage the spread, if you have chronic diarrhea for more than 48 hours you should contact your doctor or sexual health clinic and ask for a test. Note that the symptoms are very similar to [[shigella]]. | ||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
== Risk mitigation == | == Risk mitigation == | ||
Typically giardia and similar infections such as [[shigella]] are picked up at clubs and events where more anonymous sexual encounters are taking place and sexual health questions may not be asked. You need to evaluate your own risk acceptance of such play along with other sexual health measures. | * Avoid contact with surfaces that may have been in contact with fecal matter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CDC |date=2025-01-24 |title=Giardia Infection Prevention and Control |url=https://www.cdc.gov/giardia/prevention/index.html |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Giardia |language=en-us}}</ref> | ||
** Using condoms and dental dams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Giardiasis - NYC Health |url=https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/giardiasis.page |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=www.nyc.gov}}</ref> | |||
** Avoid performing oral sex on a penis that was not washed with soap and water after penetration. | |||
** Washing hands, genitals, and anus with soap and water before and after sex. | |||
** Washing hands after touching used condoms, dental dams, toys, clothing, or equipment. | |||
* Cleaning surfaces that may have been in contact with fecal matter. | |||
** Washing sex toys with soap and water after use. | |||
** Disinfecting surfaces. | |||
* Check with your partners about sexual health and ensure they are feeling well and healthy while before playing. | |||
** Typically giardia and similar infections such as [[shigella]] are picked up at clubs and events where more anonymous sexual encounters are taking place and sexual health questions may not be asked. | |||
** You need to evaluate your own risk acceptance of such play along with other sexual health measures. | |||
* Waiting to have vaginal, anal, and oral sex until several weeks after you or your partner stop having diarrhea. | |||
** Giardia may still be present in fecal matter for several weeks after diarrhea stops. | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | |||
[[Category:Sexual health]] | [[Category:Sexual health]] | ||
[[Category:Sexually transmitted infections]] | [[Category:Sexually transmitted infections]] | ||