So, someone brought up a tricky question the other day, asking about getting intimate, specifically giving oral, when you’re down with strep throat. It got me thinking back.
It’s funny how certain things stick with you. This reminds me less about the act itself and more about how easily things can spread and mess up your plans. I remember this one time, years ago, I wasn’t the one with strep, but my close buddy Mark was. He was absolutely flattened by it – fever, couldn’t swallow, the works. We were planning this massive road trip, had the car packed, routes planned, everything booked. Non-refundable, the whole deal.
I was trying to be careful around him, washing hands like crazy, not sharing drinks, you know the drill. But living in close quarters, sometimes it just doesn’t matter how careful you think you are. Two days before we were supposed to leave, I woke up feeling like I’d swallowed razor blades. Yep. Went to the doctor, got swabbed, and bingo – strep throat. The trip was totally scrapped. Lost the deposit on the first motel, wasted vacation days, and spent the next week feeling miserable on the couch, cursing Mark, the bacteria, and the universe.
That whole fiasco really drove home for me just how incredibly contagious this stuff is. Strep isn’t like a common cold virus; it’s a bacterial infection, specifically Streptococcus pyogenes. Nasty little guys. And they spread through respiratory droplets – coughing, sneezing, sure, but also just close contact. Sharing saliva is basically giving them a first-class ticket to a new home.
So, what about giving oral then?
Thinking about that experience, my immediate reaction is: Don’t do it. Just absolutely not. When you have strep throat, your mouth and throat are teeming with those bacteria.
- You’re pretty much guaranteed to pass those bacteria directly onto your partner’s genitals.
- While it most commonly causes throat infections, strep bacteria aren’t always picky. Introducing them to other areas can potentially lead to other types of infections or irritations down there. It’s just not a place you want that bacteria setting up shop.
- Your partner could easily end up getting strep throat themselves from that contact. Then you’re both miserable.
Honestly, besides the risk, who even feels up for that kind of activity when their throat is on fire? But even if you thought you could power through, it’s just not considerate to your partner. You’re knowingly exposing them to an infection that can make them really sick.
My advice? Just wait. Wait until you’ve been on antibiotics for at least 24-48 hours (check with your doctor on timing!) and you’re feeling genuinely better. Give your body time to recover and stop being contagious. It’s the decent thing to do for your partner’s health. Plenty of time for fun once you’re both healthy again.
