Chlamydia in mouth and throat (oral chlamydia) is a rare condition that occurs when the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis infects the throat. It is transmitted through oral sex with an infected person. Chlamydia will usually only be content with attacking the genitals but in rare cases it can actually also attack the throat. Common symptoms include sore throat, redness in the throat, but in most cases, the infected person does not experience any symptoms at all.
Another type of chlamydia in throat and mouth is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae. It is transmitted through moisture, droplets etc., not through sexual contact. This type of chlamydia has very similar symptoms as those with Chlamydia trachomatis, and will subsequently develop into pneumonia, characterized by prolonged periods of dry cough.
More: Chlamydia bacteria
Common Symptoms of Oral Chlamydia
Oral chlamydia is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, where one of the parties is already infected with chlamydia. If symptoms manifest themselves (but in most cases they don’t), it’s usually 1-3 weeks after infection date until they become visible. A sore throat, or throat irritation, is usually the first symptom that the bacterium has settled in his throat. If symptoms, such as sore throat, are prolonged after unprotected sexual intercourse, it is not unlikely that you have chlamydia in the throat. It is then strongly recommended to see your doctor, especially if you have a sore throat for more than 1 week. A sore throat does not necessarily mean you’ve got a throat infection with chlamydia, but it is always better to detect the disease as early as possible. Other symptoms include:
- Pain when swallowing
- Neck pain when speaking
- Neck pain makes it uncomfortable to swallow
- Fever
More: Chlamydia symptoms
More: Why it’s important to get tested for Chlamydia
Treatment of oral chlamydia
The bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis can trigger the body to turn up for the natural defense mechanisms, which may result in fever – infected organism will try to get rid of germs. However, it is rare for oral chlamydia to cause any clear symptoms and therefore it may be very difficult to detect this infection. It is usually through a medical examination, that chlamydia in the throat is detected. A simple method to determine if you are infected with chlamydia bacteria in the throat is to take a chlamydia test. The most common treatment for oral chlamydia is a course of antibiotics with doxysyklin for approximately 7 days.
More: Chlamydia treatment
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23403598
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6338a3.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/std/infertility/