Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes can infect different parts of the body, including the throat. While it may seem surprising, you can get STDs in your throat from oral sex. The throat and mouth have mucous membranes that are vulnerable to infection. If your partner has an STD and you perform oral sex on them, their bodily fluids can transmit the infection to your mouth and throat.
Some STDs cause obvious symptoms in the throat, while others don’t have any symptoms at all. Getting tested is important to identify an infection. Prompt treatment can cure many STDs and prevent serious complications.
STDs that Infect the Throat
The most common STDs that infect the throat are:
Gonorrhea – Gonorrhea is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It spreads through unprotected oral, vaginal, and anal sex. Gonorrhea can infect the throat, causing a sore throat and swollen tonsils. Other symptoms include pain when swallowing, white patches or spots in the throat, and redness.
Chlamydia – Chlamydia is another bacterial STD. Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria can be transmitted through oral sex and cause a throat infection. Symptoms of chlamydia in the throat are usually mild or nonexistent. When symptoms do occur, they can include throat pain and irritation.
Herpes – Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) can both infect the mouth and throat. HSV-1 more commonly causes oral herpes, which results in cold sores around the mouth. But HSV-1 and HSV-2 can both cause herpes infections in the throat. Symptoms include painful blisters and sores in the mouth and throat.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) – HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Certain high-risk strains can infect the throat and lead to cancers of the head and neck. HPV usually doesn’t cause any symptoms until precancerous lesions or cancer develops.
Syphilis – This bacterial infection can occur anywhere on the body where the bacteria Treponema pallidum can enter through mucous membranes, skin breaks, or cuts. Oral and throat ulcers are possible symptoms.
Testing for STDs in the Throat
Since STDs don’t always cause noticeable symptoms in the throat, testing is important to detect an infection. Here are some key points about STD testing in the throat:
– A swab test is done to collect a sample from the throat and test for gonorrhea and chlamydia. The swab rubs against the tonsils and back of the throat.
– A blood test can detect syphilis and herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2) antibodies to diagnose an infection. But blood tests can’t specify the location of the infection.
– An HPV DNA test is available to detect HPV strains, including the high-risk strains that can cause cancers. Cells are collected from the throat with a swab.
– Urine tests and Pap smears generally don’t detect throat infections with gonorrhea, chlamydia, or herpes.
– Ask your doctor to test your throat specifically if you’ve had unprotected oral sex. Routine STD screens often don’t include throat swabs.
Getting tested regularly for STDs is important if you’re sexually active, especially if you engage in unprotected oral sex. Speak with your doctor about your risks.
Common Symptoms of STDs in the Throat
Here are some of the most common symptoms that can signal an STD in your throat:
Sore throat – Many different types of infections can cause a sore, scratchy throat. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, and other STDs may cause throat pain and discomfort. The sore throat can range from mild to severe enough to make eating and drinking difficult.
Swollen tonsils – Enlarged, swollen tonsils often accompany a throat infection. The tonsils contain high amounts of lymphoid tissue and are vulnerable to infection. Gonorrhea and herpes can both cause tonsillitis.
Pain or difficulty swallowing – Pain when trying to swallow is a symptom of various throat infections. Ulcers, inflammation, and irritation from STDs can make swallowing food, liquids, and even saliva painful.
Redness – Increased redness or pinkness in the throat can occur with many infections. The swollen, inflamed tissues take on a red, vivid appearance compared to the usual pinkish hue of the healthy throat.
White or yellow patches – Thick, noticeable white or yellow patches or spots are a possible symptom of oral gonorrhea or herpes outbreaks. The abnormal patches indicate inflammation or bacterial overgrowth.
Blisters or cold sores – Small, painful blisters or cold sores around the mouth, lips, throat or tongue may be caused by oral herpes infections. The blisters eventually burst and crust over to form sores.
Who is at Risk for STDs in the Throat?
Anyone who engages in unprotected oral sex is at risk for STDs in the throat. But some factors can increase your risk, including:
– Having multiple oral sex partners
– A partner who currently has an STD or gets reinfected after treatment
– Partners who don’t get tested routinely and may unknowingly transmit STDs
– Weakened immune system that makes you more susceptible to infections
– Not using barriers such as condoms, dental dams, or latex sheets during oral sex
– Having other prior STDs
– History of mouth or throat infections
Some populations are overall at higher risk for STDs, including sexually active teens and young adults up to age 25 and men who have sex with men. But any unprotected oral sex can transmit infections. So it’s wise for everyone who is sexually active to get regular STD testing.
Complications of Untreated STDs in the Throat
Like STDs elsewhere in the body, throat infections can cause complications if left untreated:
Infertility – Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea can spread to the reproductive system and lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), increasing infertility risk.
Reactive arthritis – Joint pain and eye inflammation are possible with untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea as bacteria populate distant sites.
Scar tissue – Repeated throat infections can damage tissues and cause painful scar tissue in the throat, damaging vocal cords.
Meningitis – Gonorrhea in the throat rarely spreads to infect the brain membranes and spinal cord lining (meningitis).
Cancer – HPV is linked to cancers of the mouth and throat, as well as cervical and other cancers. Early treatment of precancerous lesions is key.
Neonatal infections – Babies born vaginally or via C-section can get gonorrhea, herpes, chlamydia, and other STDs from infected mothers. Ocular infections in newborns can lead to blindness.
Since STDs often don’t cause symptoms initially, get tested routinely to avoid complications of advanced, untreated infections.
Treating STDs in the Throat
The good news is most STDs in the throat are curable with simple, short courses of oral antibiotics or antiviral medication:
Gonorrhea – Throat gonorrhea is treated with ceftriaxone injected once, plus a single oral dose of azithromycin or a week of oral doxycycline. Dual therapy helps prevent antibiotic resistance.
Chlamydia – Oral antibiotics like azithromycin or doxycycline quickly cure chlamydia in the throat. One dose of azithromycin or a one-week doxycycline course.
Syphilis – Penicillin injections are the standard syphilis treatment. Throat ulcers and rashes resolve after treatment.
Herpes – Antiviral medications like acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir can shorten herpes outbreaks. But herpes is incurable, with latent viruses remaining in body cells.
HPV – No treatment for the virus itself. But precancerous lesions can be removed and HPV-linked cancers treated. The HPV vaccine protects against cancer-causing HPV strains.
Avoid oral sex until a week after treatment and symptoms resolve. Since reinfection is possible, ensure all partners get treated too. Condom use lowers – but doesn’t eliminate – oral STDs risk.
Preventing STDs in the Throat
Using protection and getting regularly tested are key ways to help prevent STDs in your throat:
– Use condoms, dental dams, or latex sheets for oral sex. This provides a physical barrier against infection.
– Limit your number of oral sex partners. The more partners, the higher your STD risk.
– Talk to your partner about getting tested for STDs before oral sex. Avoid partners who won’t get tested.
– Get the HPV and hepatitis A and B vaccines. Hepatitis B can be transmitted sexually.
– Don’t share sex toys and clean toys according to directions between use.
– Avoid oral sex and open mouth kissing if you or a partner have throat sores or symptoms. Wait until testing and treatment are complete.
– See your doctor for regular STD testing – every 3-6 months is ideal if sexually active.
– Take medication exactly as prescribed and complete the full course, even if symptoms go away earlier.
Practicing safe sex every time lowers – but doesn’t eliminate – the chances of getting throat STDs. Testing and early treatment are your best protection against complications.
Conclusion
STDs transmitted through oral sex can infect the throat. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, HPV, and syphilis often cause symptoms like throat pain and discomfort. But sometimes throat STDs have no symptoms at all.
Testing is crucial, since relying on symptoms alone can miss an infection. Throat swab tests check for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Blood tests help diagnose herpes and syphilis. HPV DNA tests look for high-risk strains.
Prompt antibiotic or antiviral treatment cures most STDs and prevents complications. Using protection like dental dams and condoms for oral sex reduces – but doesn’t eliminate – your risk. Vaccination for hepatitis and HPV adds protection against viruses that infect the throat.
The most effective ways to avoid throat STDs are limiting partners, using protection, mutual STD testing, and regular screenings. Talk to your doctor about getting your throat swabbed if you’ve had unprotected oral sex. Identifying and treating any infections quickly provides the best protection for your health.