Coronavirus in sperm, transmitted through sex?

After entering the body, SARS-CoV-2 is known to spread to the lungs, kidneys and digestive tract. There has not been any suspicion that the coronavirus can be found in sperm, although that does not mean that it is impossible. So, how does SARS-CoV-2 enter the reproductive system and how does it affect the body?

Researchers say about coronavirus in patient sperm

Source: Fertility Center of San Antonio

The study was conducted on 38 patients in Shangqiu, China, who are currently undergoing treatment for COVID-19. A total of 15 patients had sperm samples taken while still showing symptoms of COVID-19, while the other samples were taken from 23 patients who had just recovered.

The sperm sample was then examined to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2. As a result, six samples contained the genetic material that made up the crowned virus. This number is equivalent to 16% of the total study participants.

When described, four samples came from 15 sick patients, while two samples came from 23 patients who had just recovered. It is not certain whether this difference in numbers is related to the patient's health condition at the time of sampling.

These findings differ from the results of previous studies in Wuhan, China. The study was conducted on 12 patients who had recently recovered, in contrast to a recent study that focused more on patients with severe symptoms.

They also found genetic material making up the coronavirus in several samples of the patient's sperm. The difference in results with the study in Shangqiu may have something to do with the severity of the disease and the timing of sampling.

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How does SARS-CoV-2 get into sperm?

The testes, placenta, and central nervous system are examples of places on the body known as immunoprivileged sites . These places are able to adapt to foreign substances that enter the body without calling the immune system.

When SARS-CoV-2 infects the lungs, the lung cells and the immune system in them respond by calling in more white blood cells. White blood cells can kill viruses, but this process also triggers inflammation and damage to lung tissue.

Places included immunoprivileged sites is slightly different because they are protected from inflammation and damage. However, viruses sometimes benefit from this. Instead of being destroyed, SARS-CoV-2 actually survived and was protected in it.

Virus discovery on immunoprivileged sites , actually this is not the first time this has happened. The Ebola virus has previously been found in sperm of patients who have successfully recovered. Other types of coronavirus have also been detected in the sperm of infected patients.

Researchers do not yet fully understand how SARS-CoV-2 survives in sperm. They also cannot conclude the effect on patient health or treatment. The reason is, the results of research on this topic are still very diverse.

One of them is reported in research in the journal Fertility and Sterility . This study focused on patients who had recovered for almost a month. None of the 34 men studied had any sperm samples containing coronavirus.

Can COVID-19 be transmitted through sexual contact?

The findings regarding the coronavirus in the patient's sperm are certainly cause for concern for some people. This is even more so because the genetic material of the virus can still be detected after the patient has recovered from COVID-19. However, you don't need to worry about this.

Although the researchers found the virus in sperm, what they found was actually the genetic material that makes up the virus, not SARS-CoV-2 in the form of an intact virus. This genetic material does not have the ability to infect as well as viruses.

COVID-19 can be transmitted during sexual intercourse, but it is most likely not transmitted through sperm. Transmission occurs because you have had close contact with an infected person.

When there is close contact, you can just inhale droplet (saliva splash) contains a virus or touches something contaminated with the virus. The virus then enters the body when you touch your eyes, nose or mouth without washing your hands.

We still don't know much about COVID-19 and the virus that causes it, SARS-CoV-2. While it may seem unusual, the coronavirus found in patient sperm may be a clue to scientists researching COVID-19.

The community can at least calm down a little because COVID-19 has not been proven to be transmitted through sex. The main contagion remains through droplet , and you can protect yourself by washing your hands and applying physicial distancing .