Yoyo,

I think on this site EA refers to an emotional connection to someone else which has not yet been sexually consumated. It's still an affair.

A PA refers to out spouses having had s sexual relationship with someone outside the marriage. It's still an affair.

In most cases it starts as an EA and then moves on to PA. I think most PA's are also EA's.

I'm pretty sure one leads to the other.

For a long time I though my wife was in an EA -- sans sex. Then it turns out it was a PA. I was hurt by that knowledge. Increasing degrees of pain.

It all sucks.

I think crossing the line to sex is really pivotal.

--Theoden