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
- Enemas
- Condoms
- Dental dams
- Discussing STIs with your partner