Abstract
ABSTRACT: Believed to be zoonotic in origin, COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus subtype, which spreads from person to person through droplet transmission. As of late April, 2020, 895,766 cases of COVID-19 infections were recorded in the United States. This infection was responsible for 50,439 deaths. Because of close, person-to-person proximity, coupled with possible contact with body fluids, transmission of COVID-19 during sexual activity is possible. However, some activities carry higher risks of transmission than others. This article explores the risks of COVID-19 transmission associated with kissing, oral sex (fellatio and annilingus), and anal receptive and anal insertive intercourse among men who have sex with men (MSM). Recommendations for counseling MSM on safer sexual decision-making, many of which are applicable in the general prevention of sexually transmitted infections, are also provided. Nurse practitioners can serve as advocates in preventing sexually associated COVID-19 communication in MSM and contribute to the advancement of this continuously evolving area of public health science.