While giardia often passes on its own and is easily treated with antibiotics, there can be some lasting effects including, surprisingly, lactose intolerance.
Read: Your Top 10 Questions About Anal Play - Answered!
Norovirus also causes, you guessed it, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain. But unlike giardia, there is no medication to treat norovirus, which means it can leave you very susceptible to dehydration and other complications.
Next up, shigella. According to the CDC, “shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called shigella (shih-GEHL-uh). Most who are infected with shigella develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps starting a day or two after they are exposed to the bacteria. Shigellosis usually resolves in 5 to 7 days. Some people who are infected may have no symptoms at all, but may still pass the shigella bacteria to others.” Furthermore, shigella is becoming multi-antibiotic resistant, so the quick fix we’re used to is becoming more complicated.
Even when treatment is a quick course of antibiotics, there can be a downside. Cain explains, “Frequent use of antibiotics contributes to the alarming global problem of antibiotic resistance that can not only affect you, but your community. Taking steps to prevent the spread of infection helps prevent the use of antibiotics and the development of resistance.”
Not only that, but frequent antibiotic use can wreak havoc on your system, knocking out “good” bacteria in your gut. To make sure your body stays balanced, Cain suggests probiotic supplements as well as “foods containing live cultures like kombucha, kimchi, kefir and yogurt.” On the subject of diet, Cain goes on to explain, “A high fiber diet is also ideal for colon health and maintaining regularity,” which can reduce the amount of pre-play cleaning and prep.
Read: How do you prepare for analingus?
Speaking of cleaning, good hygiene is always welcome before engaging in anal play. It might also help limit some bacterial transmission, as it’s fecal matter that usually harbors bacteria and parasites. A simple soap and water wash in the shower is generally enough to ensure cleanliness before sex but some people like to use an anal douche or enema as well. Just be careful. Cain cautions that like antibiotic use, “frequent douching or enemas can wipe out good bacteria in the gut which can cause bowel irregularities and make us prone to infection or imbalance leading to problems like constipation or diarrhea.”
But don’t despair! Cain says that analingus can be “just as fun and safe as other forms of sexual contact if you have the tools and knowledge that you need.” As with other forms of sex, STI and bacterial transmission can be prevented by use of barriers like dental dams. And as always, one of your best defenses is open communication with your partner. Make sure you’re discussing risk, exposure and potential symptoms as part of your safer sex talk before engaging in play.
