August 2019 Issue #32 August 2019 Issue #32 | Page 151

What is rectal fluid?
Rectal fluid is the mucus that lines the
rectum. Mucus is a slippery secretion pro-
duced by certain parts of our body known
as the mucous membranes. These mem-
branes are located at the entrances into
the body and line the internal passages of
many of our organs, including the gastro-
intestinal tract (mouth, intestines and rec-
tum), the vagina and cervix, and the fore-
skin and urethra.
Mucus has several functions. A major func-
tion is to protect the mucous membranes
from germs (bacteria and viruses). It does
this by “trapping” germs and preventing
them from coming into contact with the
membranes. Mucus also contains sub-
stances that can – to some extent – kill
germs.
For some membranes, mucus also acts as
a lubricant that prevents friction and tear-
ing of the mucous membrane tissue when
objects pass through them. For example,
mucus in the vagina reduces friction during
sexual intercourse and mucus in the gas-
trointestinal tract (including the rectum)
facilitates the passage of food and feces.
Mucus in the rectum also helps reduce fric-
tion during anal intercourse.
Does rectal fluid contain
HIV?
In an HIV-positive person, the mucous
membranes throughout the body can con-
tain a lot of HIV. This is because these
membranes are rich in immune cells,
which are the cells that HIV likes to infect
and replicate within.1 Since so much HIV
replication can occur at the mucous mem-
branes, the virus is able to enter the mucus
that the membranes produce. As a result,
mucus produced by an HIV-positive person
can contain HIV.
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