Potentially Vulgar
October 4, 2005 10:23 PM   Subscribe

So I know this is potentially vulgar but....

Is it true that you can contract e coli from analingus?
posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (10 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite

 
IANAD(octor), but it seems reasonable that if one's ... analingee is dealing with a bout of food poisoning due to e coli, then the analinger (analingor?) would be exposed. It doesn't seem likely, though, as whenever I've been exposed to e coli, the resulting gas, bloating, flatulence and other such nastiness would certainly turn off any prosepective ... analinguests. OK, that last one was lame.

As in, I don't know of humans who can act as e coli "carriers."
posted by ZakDaddy at 10:57 PM on October 4, 2005


Yes, sort of. E coli is a bacteria, so you don't contract it.

There are many different strains of e coli, some of which are good, and some are bad. E coli is present in the intestines of almost all humans. The bad strains are rare, and are part of the media hype.

However, by introducing your mouth to parts which have touched fecal matter, you are introducing the e coli that is present in somebody else's body into yours. If they have the bad strain, that can be transferred to you.

However, because e coli is present in nearly all animals, and in and around all of the things you touch, you are at rick every time you eat something, or touvh your mouth with your hands, etc.

You may be putting yourself at higher risk by partaking in the salad toss, but not extraordinarily more than most other activities.
posted by stovenator at 10:58 PM on October 4, 2005


I think stovenator is mostly right, but don't we normally hear about people getting E. coli from contact with feces? I'm thinking the classic example of kids in a pool with a dirty diaper. Seems to me if one's partner isn't, um, the cleanest person, being that close to feces would increase the risk. Extraordinarily, I would think.

IANAD either. But I did try Googling and found nothing to add or subtract from the above. If you're considering doing it, though, everyone seems to recommend using a dental dam. FYI.
posted by SuperNova at 11:29 PM on October 4, 2005


Hey, wow, get a decent answer and expose my ignorance at the same time! A twofer! *grin*
posted by ZakDaddy at 11:29 PM on October 4, 2005


I don't think it's a vulgar question; just practical. You could ask your doctor. But everything I've read about anal sex of any kind, not just analingus, includes instructions on how to prepare, in terms of hygiene. This book in particular is supposed to be really good; the folks at Babeland have reviews and provide recommendations as needed.
posted by librarina at 11:38 PM on October 4, 2005


an excellent resource (possibly nsfw)

e. Coli may be the least of your worries. Scroll down to "Infection Connection" in the above link. While there are many happy butt creatures, there are also several sad and even mad butt creatures.

Always play safer; do yourself a favor and use a dam(probably nsfw)
posted by zerokey at 11:52 PM on October 4, 2005


I forgot about this-
Some more hopefully helpful if not useful and interesting links from Violet Blue.
posted by zerokey at 11:54 PM on October 4, 2005


We normally hear about people getting e. coli from contact with a strangers' feces.

The sad truth is, the people you live with and the people you hang out with are grubby humans. On the whole, you're compatible with their germs.
posted by five fresh fish at 11:59 PM on October 4, 2005


The two biggest dangers from this playful activity are hepatitis B and HIV. hepatitis B is something for which you should be vaccinated, if you are enjoying multiple partners. HIV is a risk that's out there. Another risk is herpes. Look before you lick!

If you are doing this only for your partner's pleasure, a dam is fine. If you are taking pleasure in it for yourself as well, a dam is going to ruin it (you could suck plastic by yourself). This is a pleasure best saved to enjoy with a long-term partner, or one whose infection status is known.
posted by Goofyy at 12:22 AM on October 5, 2005


Coliform bacteria.

After a good bowel movement, the colon is pretty clean. I'd say just wash up beforehand and Goofyy has a good point; if you've been in close contact with someone for a while, you've probably already "caught" most of their flora and vice versa.
posted by PurplePorpoise at 10:32 AM on October 5, 2005


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