Editing Fellatio (section)

===Sexually transmitted infections===

[[Chlamydia infection|Chlamydia]], [[human papillomavirus]] (HPV), [[gonorrhea]], [[herpes simplex virus|herpes]], [[hepatitis]] (multiple strains), and other [[Sexually transmitted disease|sexually transmitted infections]] (STIs) can be transmitted through oral sex.<ref name="WHO"/><ref name="Hales"/><ref name="CDC">{{cite web| title = Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance| publisher = [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC)| year = 2008| access-date = December 6, 2011| url = https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats08/surv2008-Complete.pdf| archive-date = October 2, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181002174224/https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats08/surv2008-Complete.pdf| url-status = live}} Also see [https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats08/2008survFactSheet.PDF Fact Sheet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002174828/https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats08/2008survFactSheet.PDF |date=2018-10-02 }}</ref> Any sexual exchange of bodily fluids with a person infected with [[HIV]], the virus that causes [[HIV/AIDS|AIDS]], poses a risk of infection. Risk of STI infection, however, is generally considered significantly lower for oral sex than for vaginal or anal sex, with HIV transmission considered the lowest risk with regard to oral sex.<ref name="Hales"/><ref name="Alexander"/><ref name="Pratt">{{cite book|author=Robert J. Pratt|title=HIV & AIDS: A Foundation for Nursing and Healthcare Practice|publisher=[[CRC Press]]|page=306|isbn=978-0-340-70639-8|year=2003|access-date=August 21, 2013|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=naSG-2RgRiYC&pg=PA306|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731133048/https://books.google.com/books?id=naSG-2RgRiYC&pg=PA306|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Sex and Society">{{cite book|author=Marshall Cavendish Corporation|title=Sex and Society, Volume 1|isbn=978-0-7614-7906-2|publisher=Marshall Cavendish Corporation|page=61|year=2010|access-date=August 29, 2013|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aVDZchwkIMEC&pg=PA61|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731132841/https://books.google.com/books?id=aVDZchwkIMEC&pg=PA61|url-status=live}}</ref>

There is an increased risk of STI transmission if the receiving partner has wounds on their genitals, or if the giving partner has wounds or open sores on or in their mouth, or bleeding gums.<ref name="Hales"/><ref name="Alexander"/><ref name="CDC, oral sex">{{Cite web|title=Oral Sex and HIV Risk |date=June 2009 |access-date=August 30, 2013 |publisher=[[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC) |url=https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/Factsheets/pdf/oralsex.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510210937/http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/Factsheets/pdf/oralsex.pdf |archive-date=May 10, 2013 }}</ref> Brushing the teeth, flossing, or undergoing dental work soon before or after giving fellatio can also increase the risk of transmission, because all of these activities can cause small scratches in the lining of the mouth.<ref name="Hales"/><ref name="Alexander"/> These wounds, even when they are [[Microscopic scale|microscopic]], increase the chances of contracting STIs that can be transmitted orally under these conditions.<ref name="Hales"/><ref name="Alexander"/> Such contact can also lead to more mundane infections from common [[bacteria]] and [[virus]]es found in, around and secreted from the genital regions. Because of the aforementioned factors, medical sources advise the use of [[condom]]s or [[Safe sex#Barrier protection|other effective barrier methods]] when performing or receiving fellatio with a partner whose STI status is unknown.<ref name="WHO"/><ref name="Hales"/><ref name="Alexander"/><ref name="CDC"/>