So , um , this is a bit awkward . But guy , if you do n’t require HIV , then you really , really need to wash your … you know what .

Yes , a novel study precede by George Washington University in the journalmBiohas found that bacterium subsist under the foreskin can increase one ’s risk of HIV . Specifically , the more anaerobiotic bacterium there are , the more probable an uncircumcised man will be infected with the computer virus .

The researchers found that a 10 - fold increase in some eccentric of bacteria live under the foreskin can increase the endangerment of HIV infection by a huge 63 percent .

This is the first study that has shown that penial bacteria may be an unrecognized jeopardy factor forHIV contagion . The researcher also said that this risk factor could be sexually transmissible .

" This subject is the first to suggest that the bacterium colonise the phallus can be an independent endangerment factor for HIV in gentleman’s gentleman , " say Cindy Liu , lead author of the newspaper , in astatement . " Having more oxygen - intolerant bacteria was consociate with increase HIV peril . "

In the two - twelvemonth - long study , penile swabs were collected from uncircumcised men in Rakai , Uganda . Of these , 46 became taint with HIV , while a restraint radical of 136 were not infected . It was found that a 10 - fold increase in four anaerobiotic bacteria – Prevotella , Dialister , Finegoldia , and Peptoniphilus   – led to a 54 to 63 percent increase in HIV endangerment .

One intellect for the penile microbiome increasing HIV risk might be that HIV cells are lured to the member by the production of immune broker . Having more penial anaerobe was get hold to produce more biochemicals called cytokines , which recruit resistant cells .

" Immune cells are HIV ’s gateway to the human body , ” say study co - author Lance Price . “ Our report suggests that some bacteria are trip biochemical alarms that draw resistant cells to the phallus where they are more easily infect by HIV . ”

Although it ’s not clear what the next footmark is , the researchers hope it may be potential to selectively slenderize bacterium on the phallus to fall   HIV risk . Quite how this would be done is n’t clear – but wash regularly probably is n’t a spoiled idea .