Sperm can carry the Ebola virus for at least 82 days, the
World Health Organization said Friday, urging men recovering from the disease
to use condoms for three months after the onset of symptoms.“Because of the potential to transmit the virus sexually
during this time, they should maintain good personal hygiene after
masturbation, and either abstain from sex (including oral sex) for three months
after onset of symptoms, or use condoms if abstinence is not possible,” the WHO
said in a statement.In four studies, on a total of 43 patients, three men who
had recovered from Ebola still had the live virus in their semen 40 days, 61
days and 82 days respectively after the onset of symptoms.
The WHO said that no case of sexual transmission of Ebola
had been documented, and that it was unclear whether semen that tests positive
for Ebola is actually infectious.The four studies were carried out in different countries,
with the first dating back more than 30 years.Ebola is highly contagious but, even if a person is
infected, the virus can only be passed on once symptoms appear and only through
direct contact with bodily fluids.Symptoms of Ebola include fever, headache, diarrhea,
vomiting and in some cases bleeding
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