NY Times: Washing After Sex May Raise H.I.V. Risk

Via yesterday’s New York Times:

A study in Uganda has come up with a surprising finding about sex and H.I.V. Washing the penis minutes after sex increased the risk of acquiring H.I.V. in uncircumcised men.

The sooner the washing, the greater the risk of becoming infected,the study found. Delaying washing for at least 10 minutes after sexsignificantly lowered the risk of H.I.V. infection, Dr. Fredrick E.Makumbi reported on July 25 at an International AIDS Society Conferencein Sydney, Australia.

The researchers do not have a precise explanation for the findings,which challenge common wisdom and the teaching of many infectiousdisease experts who urge penile cleansing as part of good genitalhygiene. Health experts have suggested that washing the penis after sexcould prevent potentially infectious vaginal secretions from enteringthe body through the uncircumcised penis.