Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe Fecal-Oral RouteAssociated InfectionsOther RisksPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
The Fecal-Oral Route
Associated Infections
Other Risks
Prevention
Many viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections can be passed when trace amounts of feces (poop) get into your mouth during sex. This is referred to as thefecal-oral transmission.
While preventive measures like dental dams can reduce the risk of exposure, they are not infallible and you should see a healthcare provider if you think you’ve been exposed during sex.
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The Fecal-Oral Route and Sex
Fecal-oral transmission refers to the spread of an infection when fecal particles get into your mouth either directly or indirectly. Many different bacteria, viruses, and parasites can be passed this way.
Fecal-oral transmission may be sexual or non-sexual. It may also occur between humans orhumans and animals.
Non-sexual examplesof the fecal-oral transmission include:
Sexual examplesof the fecal-oral transmission include:
STIs Passed via Feces
Two hepatitis viruses can be transmitted via the fecal-oral route. While neither is technically an STI, they are sexually transmissible during oral-anal sex:
Some of these occur via skin-to-skin contact, while others require contact with an open sore or lesion on the anus. These include:
Can You Get an STI From a Toilet Seat?The risk of getting an STI from a toilet is low to negligible. This is because STIs generally do not survive for long outside of the human body. Moreover, the quantity of bacteria or viruses is generally so low that they are unlikely to establish an infection even if they come into contact with broken skin.
Can You Get an STI From a Toilet Seat?
The risk of getting an STI from a toilet is low to negligible. This is because STIs generally do not survive for long outside of the human body. Moreover, the quantity of bacteria or viruses is generally so low that they are unlikely to establish an infection even if they come into contact with broken skin.
Other Risks for Oral-Anal Contact
There are other infections not classified as STIs that can still be sexually transmitted via the fecal-oral route. These include enteric (intestinal) bacteria or parasites that causedysentery(infectious diarrhea) and symptoms offood poisoning.
Some of the most common enteric infections passed via the fecal-oral route are:
Preventing STIs via the Fecal-Oral Route
There are other key ways to prevent STIs:
Summary
Rimming is a major cause of fecal-oral transmission, but infections can also occur when handling unwashed sex toys or engaging in oral sex after anal sex. Regular handwashing, improved hygiene, and the use of barrier protection (like condoms and dental dams) can help reduce the risk.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Whittier CA (2017-04-16),Fecal-oral transmission. In:International Encyclopedia of Primatology, Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons; 2017. doI:10.1002/9781119179313Gabrielli F, Alberti F, Russo C, et al.Treatment options for hepatitis A and E: a non-systematic review.Viruses.2023 May;15(5):1080. doi:10.3390/v15051080Sauerbrei A.Herpes genitalis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd.2016 Dec;76(12):1310–7. doi:10.1055/s-0042-116494Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital HPV infection.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis.Peeling RW, Mabey D, Kamb ML, Chen XS, Radolf JD, Benzaken AS.Syphilis.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17073. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.73University of Arizona.Can I get an STI from a toilet seat?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shigella infection.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Amebiasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Soil-transmitted helminths.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing Shigella infection among sexually active people.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to prevent STIs.Additional ReadingBoston Public Health Commission.Enteric diseases and sexual health.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Whittier CA (2017-04-16),Fecal-oral transmission. In:International Encyclopedia of Primatology, Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons; 2017. doI:10.1002/9781119179313Gabrielli F, Alberti F, Russo C, et al.Treatment options for hepatitis A and E: a non-systematic review.Viruses.2023 May;15(5):1080. doi:10.3390/v15051080Sauerbrei A.Herpes genitalis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd.2016 Dec;76(12):1310–7. doi:10.1055/s-0042-116494Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital HPV infection.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis.Peeling RW, Mabey D, Kamb ML, Chen XS, Radolf JD, Benzaken AS.Syphilis.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17073. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.73University of Arizona.Can I get an STI from a toilet seat?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shigella infection.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Amebiasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Soil-transmitted helminths.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing Shigella infection among sexually active people.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to prevent STIs.Additional ReadingBoston Public Health Commission.Enteric diseases and sexual health.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Whittier CA (2017-04-16),Fecal-oral transmission. In:International Encyclopedia of Primatology, Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons; 2017. doI:10.1002/9781119179313Gabrielli F, Alberti F, Russo C, et al.Treatment options for hepatitis A and E: a non-systematic review.Viruses.2023 May;15(5):1080. doi:10.3390/v15051080Sauerbrei A.Herpes genitalis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd.2016 Dec;76(12):1310–7. doi:10.1055/s-0042-116494Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital HPV infection.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis.Peeling RW, Mabey D, Kamb ML, Chen XS, Radolf JD, Benzaken AS.Syphilis.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17073. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.73University of Arizona.Can I get an STI from a toilet seat?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shigella infection.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Amebiasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Soil-transmitted helminths.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing Shigella infection among sexually active people.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to prevent STIs.
Whittier CA (2017-04-16),Fecal-oral transmission. In:International Encyclopedia of Primatology, Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons; 2017. doI:10.1002/9781119179313
Gabrielli F, Alberti F, Russo C, et al.Treatment options for hepatitis A and E: a non-systematic review.Viruses.2023 May;15(5):1080. doi:10.3390/v15051080
Sauerbrei A.Herpes genitalis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd.2016 Dec;76(12):1310–7. doi:10.1055/s-0042-116494
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital HPV infection.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis.
Peeling RW, Mabey D, Kamb ML, Chen XS, Radolf JD, Benzaken AS.Syphilis.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17073. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.73
University of Arizona.Can I get an STI from a toilet seat?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shigella infection.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Amebiasis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Soil-transmitted helminths.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing Shigella infection among sexually active people.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to prevent STIs.
Boston Public Health Commission.Enteric diseases and sexual health.
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