A Rutgers infectious disease expert Michelle DallaPiazza, is available to comment about the potential for sexual transmission of COVID-19 in light of a small study in China that found coronavirus in the semen of some patients. 

“Although it’s unknown whether COVID-19 could be sexually transmitted, it is advisable to avoid any type of intimate contact with persons who may have symptoms of, or have been exposed to, COVID-19,” said DallaPiazza. “The study from China, which found detectable SARS-CoV-2 virus in the semen of 16 percent of sampled COVID-19 patients, did not report on the type of analysis used or the amount of virus found. But, as always, social distancing, hand washing, and being creative about other forms of intimacy and connection are critically important in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Safe sex is, of course, always recommended.” 

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