Nipah Virus and Semen: The Cautionary Tale for Transmission
Abstract
The dwindling control over microorganisms that were previously more manageable, is progressively surfacing in various regions of the world. Considering this, the possibility of transmitting infections among individuals, some in unconventional ways, such as sexual transmission through semen, is concerning.
The recent pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 exhibited transient adverse effects on semen quality, thus raising concerns regarding the consequences of Nipah virus infection on semen quality and the plausibility of transmission through this body fluid. The recent resurgence of Nipah virus infection, especially in different regions of Asia, compels us to look for its association with semen.
The Nipah virus RNA was reported to be present in the semen on days 16 and 26 after the onset of symptoms of infection, while there was early clearance of the virus in the blood and urine (on day 9).1 This is not devoid of logic, as there are examples of virus persistence in semen, allowing us to postulate that semen is and will be an efficient mode of transmission for microorganisms.
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