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}}</ref> Although it is commonly believed that the human [[foreskin]] is the source of infection so must be constantly washed to prevent infection, that is not true. [[Paul M. Fleiss|Fleiss]], Hodges & [[Robert S. Van Howe|Van Howe]] (1998) reported the foreskin has both protective and immunological functions that help to prevent disease.<ref name="Fleiss1997">{{REFjournal |last=Fleiss |first=Paul M. |init=PM |author-link=Paul M. Fleiss |last2=Hodges |init2=GM |last3=Van Howe |init3=RS |author3-link=Robert S. Van Howe |title=Immunological functions of the human prepuce |journal=Sex Trans Inf |date=FleissP HodgesF VanHoweRS 1998-10-01 |volume=74 |issue=5 |pages=364-7 |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1758142/pdf/v074p00364.pdf |quote= |pubmedID=10195034 |pubmedCID=1758142 |DOI=10.1136/sti.74.5.364 |accessdate=2019-10-07}}</ref> Washing removes the protective substances and leaves the [[penis]] prone to infection, so washing should be limited and soap should not be used.