The highest rates of the disease were among those who had kissed at least four other men – whether or not they had sex.
It’s not just sex fueling a rise in STIs. Gonorrhea is also being passed between gay and bisexual men via kissing, according to a recently published Australian study.
The study, published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections, found that men who kissed multiple same-sex partners over a three-month period had a 46-81% higher chance of contacting oropharyngeal (throat) gonorrhea.
According to the researchers, their data suggests that “kissing may be associated with transmission of oropharyngeal gonorrhea in MSM, irrespective of whether sex also occurs.”
The study consisted of a survey of 3,677 men who were also tested for oropharyngeal gonorrhea. The majority of them were around age 30, with only 6.2% testing positive for the infection.
Those who has participated only in sexual contact did not show signs of oropharyngeal gonorrhea, but participants who kissed during sexual activity — or even kissed without any sex — were found with oropharyngeal gonorrhea. It is assumed that oropharyngeal gonorrhea was passed via saliva.
“Kissing may be riskier than previously thought,” said lead author Eric Chow to Reuters Health. “This may help people understand how the infection was introduced, particularly if they haven’t been sexually active.”
The highest rates of the disease were among those who had kissed a minimum of four other men whether or not they had sex.
Rates of gonorrhea infections have increased in recent years, with a 67% increase since 2013 in the United States alone. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
While messaging done to prevent the spread has largely focused on condom use, this study may indicate a need to rethink things.
“It’s important to understand that safe sex isn’t a catch-all for gonorrhea, which challenges previous sexual health practices,” said Chow.
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