(Zawn Villines/ Medical News Today) — Some people mistakenly believe that it is rare or impossible for sexually transmitted infections to be spread through oral sex.
However, it is possible to get a sexually transmitted infection (STI) from oral sex; in fact, some STIs, such as genital herpes and gonorrhea, are more commonly spread through oral sex than other STIs, such as HIV.
Worldwide, about 1 million new STIs are acquired each day, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It is essential that sexually active people understand how STIs are transmitted and how they can reduce the risk of spreading infections.
It is possible to contract many STIs through oral sex, as oral sex involves close contact and often an exchange of bodily fluids.
STIs spread through contact with bodily fluids or skin that is infected with the STI. Different STIs spread at different rates and through various bodily fluids. The chances of getting an STI depend on a variety of factors.
The STIs most frequently spread through oral sex include genital herpes, gonorrhea and syphilis. (…)