Fecal-oral route

The fecal–oral route describes the transmission of disease-causing pathogens from the fecal particles of one person to the mouth of another person.

Background

In a sexual context, fecal matter may enter the mouth deliberately during scat play or inadvertently during or after a number of sexual acts involving the anus, including:

• Direct mouth-to-anus contact during anilingus, such as rimming or felching,
• Indirect contact during deliberate ass to mouth play, where an object (such as a penis, finger, or toy) is transferred to the mouth directly after contact with the anus,
• Poor or absent hygiene after contacting the anus or feces, including contact that occurs prior to sex.

Risks

• List of diseases
• Differential risk for ingesting one's own feces versus another person's
• Increased risk if the mouth has open sores, bleeding gums, or microscratches

Risk mitigation

• Proper hygiene (e.g. hand washing)
• Enemas
• Condoms
• Dental dams
• Discussing STIs with your partner
• Informed consent: allow other participants to properly consider their own risk tolerance (for example: before someone gives you a blowjob, inform them that you haven't showered since topping someone without a condom)