tasha_tart
Posts: 385
Joined: 2/20/2004 From: Ontario, Canada Status: offline
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Excerpt from Research Findings Unveiled on Common and Unusual Allergies: 2:45 pm, Nov. 15: “Anaphylaxis to Ingestion of Cephalexin-Containing Semen” (Abstract #63) - A. J. Ham Pong, Ottawa, Canada, et al - Researchers document what they believe is the first case report of systemic reaction to ingested semen occurring in an atopic, penicillin-sensitive woman likely caused by cephalixin excreted in the semen or through urine contamination. Excerpt from Allergy & Asthma Disease Management Center: Ask the Expert: 9/19/2005 RE: Reactions to penicillin in semen Can a person who is allergic to a drug (i.e. penicillin) have an allergic reaction from having sexual intercourse with a person who is taking the drug? It seems this might be plausible since drugs are excreted in breast milk, sweat, tears, etc. To help respond to your question, I obtained input from Dr. Roland Solensky, an expert in penicillin allergy reactions. His response is enclosed below. I should emphasize the importance of determining whether the woman has had a reaction to the semen of her partner when the partner had not taken any medications for several days. If a reaction has occurred, she could well be reacting to a component in the fluid portion of the semen itself. Dr. Solensky's comments: I know I have seen a case report (probably in abstract form only) of a woman reacting to her sexual partner's semen due to the presence of trace amounts of penicillin. I don't recall how severe the reaction was. I don't recall the exact reference. So, while it is theoretically possible, I would see this occurring only in the most exquisitely pcn-sensitive individual. The vast majority of pcn-allergic women should not experience any reaction in such a situation. There is of course also the issue of whether the women is truly allergic, since, as you know, pcn-specific IgE antibodies are known to wane over time. Therefore, it would make sense to perform pcn skin testing on such a female patient (once we hopefully have PrePen back on the market next year), since overall only 5-10% of patients with a history of pcn allergy turn out to have positive skin tests. Lastly, if a women has reacted to her partner's semen, an allergy to the semen itself should also be evaluated. I hope that helps. So, it would seem that it is a possibility. Most prudent course would be to avoid performing oral sex while the male receiving oral sex is on penicillin, or similar antibiotics, and for a few days after. However, posting a question on here should not be the first resort for medical questions. Embarassing though it may be, one should be directing medical questions to his or her medical practitioner: OB-GYN, allergist, family doctor, cardiologist, etc. They have almost certainly had questions from patients (or seen/treated things) that are far "stranger" than yours. Tasha
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"Sex without love is an empty experience. But as empty experiences go, it's one of the better ones."...Woody Allen
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