Rimming and parasites

[Guest star-gazer]

as a registered nurse working with the gay community, in a well patient clinic, let me tell you that rimming is very risky for contacting a STD know as Giardia. 7-10 days post infection, you will develope n/v, anorexia, dry heaves, and possibly diarrhea leading to dehydration. You will need Flagyl to take for 10-14 days which has side-effects all its own. be careful, know your partner because even he may not know he is infected. not everyone will have the same symptoms or level of severity.

[Guest DevonSFescort]

I don't rim and don't know how common the spread of parasites via rimming is, but I do know someone who got one and it was definitely a much bigger hassle than the average STD. He had to keep bringing stool samples to the doctor and had to try at least a couple different antibiotics before finally nailing it. It was a process of weeks during which he felt awful, had diarrhea and various intestinal discomforts, etc. Bleech.

 

One thing that would, I think, greatly reduce your risk is if your escort is not a rimmer but does get rimmed. (I can never remember what the top/bottom designation for this activity is...is the top the guy rimming or the guy getting rimmed?) Anyway, if he's strictly a rimmee (like me), and you've had your Hep shots, your odds probably aren't bad, provided he hasn't recently returned from visiting certain Third World countries or recently eaten at a restaurant with a parasite outbreak. If he himself rims, then you've got more opportunities to be unlucky, though I don't know how common the problem is.

 

Another cautionary note about rimming, though...I've met a couple of people who got warts on their face from rimming...ugh...

[OneFinger]

>...rimming is very risky for contacting a STD know as Giardia.

 

I didn't know Giardia was considered an STD. I have never heard of anyone getting Giardia from rimming. However, I've know several people that got it from drinking stream/river water while camping.

 

Giardia is a nasty little bug that is just as awful as previously described. I've never heard it referred to as an STD or a risk of rimming. But, it does seem like a reasonable method of infection.

 

I also agree with Devon that an escort that is only the "rimee" is probably much safer than one that is also a "rimmer". Logically, that would seem to be a much riskier senario.

 

Am I afraid of getting a parasite by rimming my favorite guys? Not on your life!! I've never had health concerns when hiring a professional. :9 However, if picking up from the street, I'd probably not even consider rimming.

[+ Lucky]

I hate that rimming is so bad for you because I love to do it! Pffft!

[trilingual]

It's like everything else. You have to decide how much the risk is worth it to you. But there are numerous risks involved in rimming. Hepatitis is one. Giardia is another. Human papiloma virus (HPV), which causes anal and genital warts, but can also lead to cervical and anal cancer, is another. (But HPV and hepatitis can also be spread through sex acts that don't involve rimming.)

 

Besides giardia, let's not forget our old friend amoebic dysentery. x( Although it's easy to catch in the third world, you don't have to go there to get it. I got it right in allegedly first-world San Francisco. It's really evil, especially the first time you get it. Same symptoms as described for giardia, although you also get the reverse of dry heaves: after you've completely drained out you're still sitting on the toilet having cramps that won't quit. Really BAD cramps! The cures are all pretty nasty, with unpleasant side effects of their own. Flagyl is one, but I won't go near it any more because the last time I took it I just got spacier and spacier and finally was getting psychotic. Even if you don't experience that effect, you'll just feel generally nasty and have a vile, metallic taste in your mouth the whole time you're on the stuff. No alcohol of course. Most of the parasiticides are nasty meds, because they're essentially poison. The trick is to get a dose that kills the parasites without killing you. (Fungicides also fall into this category; they're especially tricky because funguses -- surprise, surprise -- are remarkably similar, genetically speaking, to human beings. I know, you always thought your ex-boyfriend was slime mold. Well, you were closer than you think! Unfortunately, what kills funguses also kills humans, and there's a fine line on the dosage. . .) Anyway, there are alternatives to Flagyl (I think I ended up taking Iodoquine, although it was so long ago now I don't remember for sure.) I didn't have the same reaction, but it was still kind of rocky.

 

Anyway, back to amoebas. They can be remarkably pesky little critters to get rid of. You may think they're gone, but they've just decided to lay low before putting in an encore performance! Chronic amoebiasis is a lower-level kind of thing, symptomatically, than an initial attack. You tend to be on a kind of boom-to-bust cycle, first being constipated, then having the runs, and back again. It mimics the same symptoms you get if you don't get enough fiber in your diet, or just have irritable bowel syndrome, or any number of other diseases. If you've ever had acute dysentery and then experience this, tell your doctor and insist on stool samples. It's the only sure-fire way to diagnose what's going on.

 

Then there are pinworms, which will make your ass itch like there's no tomorrow. Fortunately, worming remedies will take care of them pretty quickly, and the effects aren't quite so vile. You'll still have to do stool samples after taking the meds to be sure the little buggers are all dead and that no eggs have hatched.

 

There are lots of other diseases transmitted through the fecal-oral route. Two less common, but extremely nasty ones, are cholera and typhoid.

 

Now that I've scared everyone to death, I should point out that I haven't had amoebas in many, many years (in spite of regular trips to South America where, as anyone who reads Escorts South of the U.S.A can see, I haven't exactly lived the life of a cloistered monk). The fact that you CAN get these diseases through rimming doesn't mean that you're going to. You can also get these diseases indirectly, through careless food handling, and that can happen right here in the first world. (Typhoid Mary inadvertently spread the disease through food handling.)

 

If you're really worried about the possible consequences of rimming, don't do it. Worrying about what you might have caught can be as bad as the actual diseases (stress can cause all kinds of physical problems, including royally screwing up your immune system). If you're not the worrying kind, and you're pretty sure your partner is clean (either because you know he's recently been tested for parasites) or just because he's recently applied soap and water to the area in question, what the hell. Sure you could catch something. You could also get hit by a bus coming out of his apartment. Life's full of risks, so you just have to decide which are tolerable and how far you're willing to go.

 

Here endeth the lesson. . .

[Guest JT]

>>...rimming is very risky for contacting a STD know as

>Giardia.

>

>I didn't know Giardia was considered an STD. I have never

>heard of anyone getting Giardia from rimming. However, I've

>know several people that got it from drinking stream/river

>water while camping.

>

>Giardia is a nasty little bug that is just as awful as

>previously described. I've never heard it referred to as an

>STD or a risk of rimming. But, it does seem like a reasonable

>method of infection.

 

You're right, OneFinger! I don't think the medical community in general would consider Giardia a STD. However, since it is transmitted via the fecal-oral route, it's possible to be spread by anal-oral sex. It's much more likely to pick up Giardia by drinking contaminated (by infected animals) surface water such as river and lake water.

 

The list of fecal-oral route pathogens is too long to be listed here. Some of them are also known to be transmitted by rimming (e.g. Hepatitis A). If anyone is interested in or concerned about the health risks of rimming, please feel free to visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website. Keep yourself informed. Assess your risk tolerance level and take the necessary precautions accordingly. Don't forget that many infections can be spread by kissing too. Just to list a few: infectious mononucleosis, herpes, and bacterial meningitis. Does it mean that you won't kiss? My answer would definitely be "No Way"! So take care and have fun!

 

JT

 

P.S. Keep in mind that infection with Giardia does not always result in symptoms (typically diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain). The majority of infected people can fight off the infections including Giardia (giardiasis) and Entameba (amebiasis) on their own, with little or no complications. Only a very small percentage of individuals will develop chronic infections due to these organisms. With prompt diagnosis and treatment, these infections can be cured with antibiotics.

[jack]

Trilingual: Your reference to soap and water. Having said all that you said, you conclude with the idea that a recent shower with soap and water applied to his butt would help reduce the risks. How much safer does soap and water make rimming. I love to rim rim and rim young butt preceded by a nice friendly soapie shower during which I can gently finger his butt with soap and water while I suck his plump cock. Is this safer?

[Guest coololdguy]

I am curious as to how common of a problem this is. When one reads about STD's and rimming the typical STD's are always explained in detail and then in conclusion it mentions, almost as an afterthought, the potential of unfriendly bacteria. I have been seeing escorts for several years now and until recently was never really interested in rimming but the escort I am now seeing has pushed a couple of buttons or something because I suddenly have this overriding urge to taste his ass and I am having a difficult time restraining myself. I have had the hepatitis vaccinations and am willing to take the risks with other potential STD's but the thought of my digestive system being taken over by ferocious cold blooded parasites makes me squeamish, to say the least. I am wondering if anyone here who is seriously into rimming has knowledge as to how common of a problem this is? Thanks much!

[Luv2play]

The short answer is YES. A recent study indicates that soap and its consistent use are very beneficial to maintaining good health. This study I believe was more aimed at the hand/oral transmission of disease, such as in the case of the Norwalk virus, which has been making the rounds on cruiseships. But of course, cleaning the anal area is also a good idea if you want to rim your guy. BTW, the study counselled against using anti-bacterial soaps, as these can promote the growth of drug resistant bacteria. So throw them away and use good old soap, just like your mum told you many years ago!:-)

[Luv2play]

One point to make here is that if people are not treated for giardia the symptoms will subside BUT THEY WILL STILL BE INFECTED. Thus they will likely pass it on to anyone who rims them. Anyone with the symptoms, which do vary in intensity, should seek treatment.

 

There is another bug that can result from rimming and that is shegalla. This causes an even nastier version of dysentry than giardia but can be treated by the same drug that treats anthrax!! And the treatment is relatively short, 3 days of pills.

 

Having been around the block a few times, I am just a veritable font of useful info:o

[kjun]

I can't believe that no one has mentioned the danger of Hepatitis C. Some call it as dangerous as AIDS. No cure, no preventative, and it kills your liver. Not even a transplant can help. Certainly a danger of rimming.

 

the Cajun

[+ Lucky]

Depending on the type of C you have, a cure is possible using the new pegylated interferon and ribavirin. A friend of mine was on it, and has had no reocurrence, but the went through hell on the treatment.

[Luv2play]

This is a misconception. Hep C is caused by tainted blood and blood products, not fecal matter, and the person infected must be exposed to the blood. The usual transmission route is via blood transfusions. And yes, there is no vaccine, as there is for Hep A and B. Just trying to keep the record str8:-)

[Luv2play]

Oh yes, should have mentionned shared neddles by drug addictsx(

[+ glutes]

Throwing my 2 bits in again as 'AuntieSeptic', butt, I don't see how anyone can think that oral and fecal matter mix. Isn't this why we wash our hands after using the toilet, and before eating??

I'm all for safer sex, but if you play with exchange of bodily fluids/secretions you must be prepared to pay the price. And Flagyl is VERY expensive...

[kjun]

Agreed. Flagyl is a serious drug and, not only expensive but serious side affects. Even possible cancer causing.

 

the Cajun

[Guest jimmy2CU]

Damn guys! I'm sitting here in a stunned daze. This is the first time reading a post has ever made me feel like washing my ass out with soap immediately, before it hurts someone! I just have to ask you guys about other things that might find their way into your mouth. Like semen? Urine? My room mate swears urine is sterile and actually good for you! I'm more concerned about swallowing cum myself. Please inform me.;(

[scott90746]

Urine...Sterile ? LOL Where did your roommate go to school ?

[Luv2play]

Actually Jimmy's roommate is right, urine is sterile (unless, of course, there is a bladder infection or infection of the urinary tract). But, under normal circumstances, piss is a much safer bet than cum especially if HIV is involved. The virus is carried in blood and semen, not urine. So Scott, I don't know what school you went to, but it obviously was not medical school. x(

 

In some cultures (other than the gay one) drinking urine is seen as beneficial, although this is usually drinking one's own urine). Ghandi did it, for example, every day.

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

Check the archives several months back for an excellent discussion on rimming and Hep C, especially JT's very knowledgeable contributions.

[N.N.]

Generic Flagyl (a.k.a. metronidazole) is fairly cheap as prescription drugs go nowadays. But I agree that side effects can be a pain, some people tolerate it better than others.

[trilingual]

As for the sterility of urine, my understanding is that's true when it leaves the body (i.e., when it's fresh) providing there's no urinary infection going on. However, urine is evidently a great medium for growing many kinds of bacteria, so piss that's been standing around can be another story. Urine can also kill some bacteria. I've always been told it's a very good idea to urinate as soon as possible after having sex (especially oral or anal sex) as the urine can kill off the bacteria that cause some venereal diseases, like gonorrhea or syphilis. It isn't a fail-safe method, but it can help decrease the risk of developing something like that.

 

Semen can transmit HIV and other venereal diseases, of course. There's still no proof that HIV is transmitted orally, but you can get other venereal diseases that way, so hopefully your partner (and you) are disease free when you engage in oral sex, which would include rimming.

 

Hepatitis C, as far as I know, is a blood-borne virus and not transmitted via the oral-fecal route or through sexual activity. Hepatitis A is largely food-borne, and Hepatitis B is contagious through sex, but also can be airborne, from what I understand. You can catch Hepatitis B from being physically close to someone who's still in the contagious stage of the disease. Actually, maybe A is, too. I caught it as a very young child from my father, who had gotten it from some bad food soon after we had moved to Mexico, back in the late '40s.

[jackhammer91406]

LUCKY,

I'm with you on this although this info comes a little late for me. Do I have to call all of those guys in NY?

 

 

x(