This is a common question. I'm going to give you the medical facts but will probably get flamed big time so I"m using an alias.

DATY is associated with a number of STDs but that doesn't mean that everyone who does DATY will get infected every time. Like anything in life, you have to determine what is an acceptable level of risk for you.  Here are some of the more commonly discussed infections:

Gonorrhea/Chlamydia - Pharyngitis(sore throat)can occur from gonorrhea and/or chlamydia. Symptoms may be mild or severe. It can progress to systemic infection or an abscess if not treated. It is NOT diagnosed on a routine throat culture - a special media must be used. Therefore, if your physician is not aware that this could be a possibility, it may not be considered and is easily missed. Recently, someone on another board claimed to have contracted this from a provider whom he did not identify. The provider responsed angrily that all her STD tests were negative. He was badly flamed by the community, however, I communicated with him and his story, symptoms, and treatment sounded valid to me. I suspect the provider had asymptomatic infection and needed a culture specifically looking for gonorrhea. While often associated with discharge, some patients have minimal symptoms especially if pharyngeal. In any case, treatment with antibiotics is necessary. The CDC has recently changed the recommended treatment due to increasing antibiotic resistance especially in the gay community that is now crossing over into the general population.  New treatment is an IM injection although I suspect most patients will respond to single dose oral therapy unless in a high risk community.  Because chlamydia is often present in patients with gonorrhea, it is usually treated even if not cultured in these patients.  Chlamydia require different antibiotics.

HPV(genital warts)- very common. This is a virus. The warts are often not visible on either partner because they can be very small, on the cervix, or hidden around the labia or base of the penis. Can become huge. They spread by direct contact. Extremely difficult to treat and the patient is rarely cured.  They may recur for years or disappear entirely. Many people have warts but are not aware of them.  They can be removed but the virus remains in the skin and can recur or spread at any time. This is a virus and does not respond to antibiotics.


Molluscum Contagiosum - another virus that is very common. Spreads by direct skin to skin contact and can be very contagious.  Most common in pubic region but can live in any moist area of the body. Easily removed by a dermatologist but may spread by autoinfection until body eventually develops immunity. This is a virus and does not respond to antibiotics.


HSV(Herpes) - The dreaded virus. Contagious when vesicles are present but also when they are not visible. Herpes is for life and can recur at any time.  While it can be controlled, it can never be eliminated.  Because of pain and the unsightly lesions, this is the one most feared. This is a virus and does not respond to antibiotics.

Yeast - easy to spot. Very unusual to spread to others unless that person is already immunosuppressed.

HIV - extremely rare (perhaps reportable) with DATY. Usually requires blood contact with an open sore or other break in the skin or mucous membranes.  No need to get into a big discussion on this disease.

Syphilis - highly contagious from open sore or when secondary rash is present. Easy to diagnosis and easy to treat.  Long term sequelae are serious if not treated.

With all that said, I want to point out that DATY is one of my favorite things in life.  I participate but try to be as careful as possible.  I'm willing to accept a certain level of risk.  However, it's important for those who participate to recognize the risks, try not to be in denial, and to play safe.

DocInTheBox

Give up driving immediately!
Never venture outside without sunblock on.
Quit using your Cell phone(it's cooking your brain)
Never participate in "sports".
Never eat any food that you yourself have not prepaired.
Sterilize your hands after touching anything....

  Do you see where this is going?
Practicing anything but safe sex in the hobby would be foolharty but if your going to constantly obsess about the risks then get out and take up chess.

  AOOP.