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Not a good idea.
Anal sex, if practised with care, is possible for most couples. It does, however, carry additional health risks and there are safer sexual practices that couples can enjoy. The main health risks, which affect both heterosexual and homosexual couples, are described below.
* Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): there is good research evidence that anal intercourse carries a greater risk of transmission of HIV - the virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) than other sexual activities, particularly for the receptive partner.
* Human papilloma virus (HPV, wart virus): can be transmitted during anal intercourse and lead to anal warts, which in turn can predispose infected individuals to cancer of the anal canal.
* Hepatitis A (infectious hepatitis): is a viral infection that can cause jaundice and abdominal pain. It is not usually a serious illness, although sufferers can feel very ill. It can be transmitted by oral-anal contact.
* Hepatitis C: is a cause of progressive and sometimes fatal chronic liver disease. It may be transmitted by anal intercourse, although this seems to be a rare occurrence. Sharing of equipment for intravenous drug use is a far more important risk for transmission.
* Escherichia Coli (E. Coli): may cause mild to severe, or even fatal, gastroenteritis. It is one of many bacteria and viruses that can be transmitted by oral-anal contact. Some E. coli strains (uropathic E. coli), probably transmitted during anal intercourse, can also cause urinary tract infections, ranging from cystitis to pyelonephritis - a serious kidney infection.
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