Chlamydia is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the world. Despite its wide prevalence, there is still a lot to learn about Chlamydia. The more we know, the easier it becomes to prevent it. Chlamydia doesn’t affect the genital region only, but oral as well. What are the symptoms of oral Chlamydia? Learn more about this subject below.
Can you really get oral Chlamydia?
When the term Chlamydia comes to mind, we do not usually think about it having any kind of relationship with our mouth and throat, but it does. The truth is that you can, indeed, develop Chlamydia in your mouth and throat. Unfortunately, oral Chlamydia is not explored extensively as the genital form of the disease, but it’s safe to expect things to change in the near future. A study from the Clinical Oral Investigations detected the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis in cellular specimens from the lining epithelium of diseased periodontal sites. In other words, the study provided preliminary evidence that Chlamydia can affect the oral cavity, in this case, in adults with periodontal disease.
In order to understand how a person can develop oral Chlamydia in the first place, it is important to remember the very nature of this STD. A person develops Chlamydia when their mucous membranes such as penis, vagina, or rectum come in contact with certain bacteria. Upon contact, the bacteria enter mucous membranes and start multiplying.
Most cases of Chlamydia occur due to unprotected vaginal or anal sex, but it is entirely possible to get this STD through oral sex as well. While oral Chlamydia is not very common, it’s still possible to develop this STD, which is why safe sex practices are crucial.
How exactly can a person develop oral Chlamydia?
Even though a person can transmit Chlamydia through oral sex to the mouth or throat, and the other individual can develop symptoms there, the STD is not spread through the mouth to mouth kissing. In other words, you can’t get Chlamydia just by kissing someone who has it.
As mentioned above, oral Chlamydia develops as a consequence of giving oral sex to a person affected by this STD. Oral sex involves using the mouth, lips, and tongue to stimulate the vagina, penis, or anus of another person.
The risk of developing Chlamydia in the throat increases when you are:
- Giving oral sex to a female partner with an infected vagina and urinary tract
- Performing oral sex on a male partner with an infected penis
- Performing oral sex on either a male or female partner with the infected rectum
The likelihood of developing oral Chlamydia also increases if a person has dental problems such as tooth decay, gum disease i.e., bleeding gums and oral cancer. All these factors increase inflammation and lower immune defenses, thus allowing bacteria to thrive.
Symptoms of oral Chlamydia
Just like with genital Chlamydia, oral Chlamydia does not induce symptoms at first. A person can have this STD without even realizing it and put their sex partners in danger. The most prevalent signs and symptoms of oral Chlamydia include:
- A sore throat lasting for several days (it comes and goes)
- Low-grade fever
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Painless sores in the mouth that don’t heal
- Tonsilitis
- Lesions resembling cold sores around the mouth
- Dry, scratchy throat
- Redness and white spots similar to strep throat
- Dental problems
- Mouth pain
- Cough (in some cases)
Bear in mind it is entirely possible to get infected with Chlamydia in both oral and genital regions. In that case, besides symptoms of oral Chlamydia, you can experience problems such as burning sensation while urinating, rectal pain, pain, and swelling of the testicles, unusual discharge from vagina or penis.
What to do if I have symptoms of oral Chlamydia?
The chances of developing oral Chlamydia are low, but not impossible. If you experience symptoms listed above, it’s strongly recommended to see the doctor or do the test to determine whether you really have Chlamydia or not. Remember, you cannot know for sure until you get tested. The last thing you should do is ignore the symptoms and hope they would go away on their own.
Many women and men are reluctant to see the doctor due to the social stigma attached to STDs and diagnostic tests. As a result, the diagnosis is not confirmed, and in cases they have Chlamydia, it is difficult to treat it in a timely manner.
Read more: Pictures of chlamydia symptoms
Remember, you can treat Chlamydia successfully, thanks to antibiotics. But to make it happen, you need to get tested. The good news is that you can get tested in the comfort of your home. It’s easy, you just order Chlamydia test online, and that’s it. No trips to the clinics or hospitals, scheduling appointments, sitting in waiting rooms, or feeling uncomfortable due to the lack of privacy. With test kits, your privacy is preserved, and in a few simple steps, you can learn whether you have oral Chlamydia or not. This gives you the opportunity to get a much-needed treatment, but also to evaluate your sex habits, the choice of partners, and start taking protection more seriously.
While oral Chlamydia is not a common occurrence, it shouldn’t be the reason to neglect it. Regular testing is important and even more so if you have multiple sexual partners. With a proactive approach, you can prevent complications. Remember the symptoms of oral Chlamydia mentioned above to learn how to recognize this problem or educate others about it. Staying informed and educating others is a great way to raise awareness of oral Chlamydia and contribute to prevention.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2760468/
https://www.stdcheck.com/blog/oral-chlamydia-mouth-infection/