STD Risk and Oral Sex

A reader recently asked about the risk of STDs in cases where the patient reported only oral penetration. She wanted to know what the recommendations were around counseling patients, and which infections, in particular, were concerning. The CDC actually has a fact sheet on this issue (that includes where the research is lacking), and while the information is meant for the lay public, it does a nice job of providing an overview of the issue that would certainly be useful to clinicians, as well. And you know I do love me a good references section, which this one has. So if nothing else, check it out for a deep dive on the STD literature. Recently updated, too.