My husband is having BCG infusions and has been advised that he should not have unprotected sexual intercourse for a week after each infusion. I understand that the BCG is a live bacterial infusion but that it was probably cleared from the bladder within 48 hours. I recognise that the seminal vesicles could potentially be infected but would assume this risk is quite small as I can find no evidence of it in the literature. My query therefore is why the prohibition of unprotected sex? Again I can find no report in the literature of vaginal infection transmitted by sex, or indeed in female patients receiving BCG infusions as a result of contamination, which must occur because of the close proximity of urethra and vagina. As a woman past child bearing years and having had a hysterectomy I doubt that the risk of infection and prohibition of unprotected sex is a anything more than a médico legal recommendation which puts a distance between my husband and myself at a time when closeness and intimacy would be beneficial in coping with the stress of a cancer diagnosis and unpleasant interventions and treatment.
Am I wrong and if so what is the evidence of cross infection, and if it occurs what are the symptoms.