Written by Hannah Kingston on July 27, 2021

As we outlined previously in our article: What is chlamydia? Plus causes and signs, chlamydia is spread when bacteria passes through the mucous membranes on the body, or in other words, the soft skin which covers the openings of the body.

Can you get chlamydia in mouth?

Can you get chlamydia in your mouth?

Though it is less common to get chlamydia in your mouth and throat, it is possible.

Chlamydia may be transmitted when someone performs oral sex on someone who has genital chlamydia It is also possible for someone who has chlamydia in the throat to give it to another person via oral sex.

Chlamydia is most commonly spread through unprotected anal, vaginal and/or oral sex.

It’s also important to note that contact with chlamydia bacteria from one location to another can lead to the transmission. For example, it would be possible to get anal chlamydia if a person living with vaginal or penile chlamydia used toilet paper in an infected area and then later wiped a non-infected area.

Oral sex is a less common route of transmission, or in other words, chlamydia is less likely to be transmitted during oral sex. The bacteria associated with chlamydia generally targets warm and moist environments such as the genitals. Chlamydia bacteria is more likely to thrive in the genital areas.

Read: What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

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How do you know if you have chlamydia in your mouth?

Most the time, there are no symptoms of chlamydia in the throat. Often there are no symptoms of chlamydia full stop.

Symptoms of throat chlamydia

Where symptoms do appear in cases of throat chlamydia. People may experience:

A sore or swollen throat
Mouth pain
Dental problems
Sores around the lips and mouth
Mouth sores that do not heal

It is common for people living with chlamydia in the throat to believe that they are living with a common cold or flu virus.

It is possible to have oral and genital chlamydia infection at the same time, therefore it is important to look out for the symptoms of both.

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Symptoms of genital chlamydia

Some of the common symptoms of genital chlamydia include:

A burning sensation during urination
Rectal pain
Unusual discharge
Pain or swelling in the testicles
Pain during sex

Often people who have chlamydia in the mouth will not be aware of their condition due to the fact that they are not experiencing significant symptoms.

This is why it is so important to get tested as soon as you think you may have been exposed to the chlamydia. You could have no symptoms but continue to spread chlamydia onto other people.

In this case it is always better to be safe than sorry.

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What does chlamydia look like in the mouth?

Chlamydia in the throat may take on a similar appearance to a throat infection. The throat may simply look red and swollen.

Sometimes chlamydia in the throat will have no appearance at all, especially where no symptoms are present.

If you have been experiencing a sore throat that doesn’t seem to be going away, or you have had oral sex with a partner recently who has tested positive for chlamydia, you need to get tested as soon as possible.

Chlamydia in the throat is tested using a swab. You will need to visit a medical professional in person for a diagnosis. A doctor will send a swab sample to a laboratory, which tests the specimen for the presence of DNA from the bacteria that cause chlamydia.

Does oral chlamydia go away?

Chlamydia, whether it is oral or genital does not go away on its own.

It is possible for the symptoms of chlamydia to go away for a short period of time, but that does not mean you no longer have chlamydia. The infection may persist in the body in the absence of treatment (subclinical infection).

A short course of antibiotics are required to treat chlamydia, and a follow up test is required to ensure the risk of re-infection.

Read: What is the treatment of chlamydia?

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