"make sure all current sexual partners are treated"
Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs, but did you know that you can get chlamydia in your throat?
The bacterial infection is commonly transmitted through vaginal or anal sex without contraception.
But chlamydia can develop in the throat through oral sex.
Dr Rebecca Mawson says the most common place of infection is in the genitals and caused by penetrative sex.
In some cases, it can also affect other parts of the body “like the rectum, throat, and conjunctiva in the eye. Oral chlamydia is probably not quite the right terminology [even though it is commonly used] as it is actually the back of the mouth and throat that is affected”.
She adds: “We don’t really know how commonly women have chlamydia in the throat, as most clinics do not routinely screen for it.
“We tend to do vagina self-screening for chlamydia but not all sites like the rectum and throat.”
There is a misconception that oral sex is STI-proof but infections can be contracted if protection, such as condoms or dental dams, are not used.
Transmission requires direct contact with infected genital or mucosal fluids.
Despite being a recognised transmission route, oral chlamydia receives less attention due to it being fairly asymptomatic, meaning it can go undetected without specific testing.
Dr Mawson continues: “If someone was to have chlamydia in their throat that does have symptoms, they would probably be very similar to a normal sore throat like pain on swallowing and a low grade fever.”
She adds that this is rare, with most chlamydia infections being asymptomatic.
When are People at Risk?
In a clinic, you may be offered a throat swab for chlamydia if there are other risk factors such as:
- Men who have sex with men (MSM)
- Sex workers
- Sexual assault
- Oral sex with a partner known to have chlamydia
- A persistent sore throat unresponsive to standard antibiotics e.g penicillin
People can also contract chlamydia more than once. Having previously had the infection does not make someone immune to future infections.
Dr Mawson explains: “If you have an infection it is really important to make sure all current sexual partners are treated so that you don’t get re-infections.”
Anyone worried about oral chlamydia can speak to their local sexual health clinic, where clinicians can discuss their circumstances and whether further testing is appropriate.
Using barrier protection during oral sex can reduce the risk of transmitting chlamydia. This includes condoms and dental dams, depending on the type of sexual contact.
Regular STI testing is also important when starting a new relationship or having sex with a new partner, particularly where protection has not been used.
People should also think about testing after unprotected sex, including situations where a condom has broken or contraception has not been used as intended.
The appropriate time to test depends on the infection being screened for.
Dr Mawson says: “After unprotected sex, wait 2 weeks for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, 4 weeks for syphilis and HIV (in some circumstances you also need a test at 3 months).”
Some STI tests can be ordered online and completed discreetly.
Although oral chlamydia is not routinely tested for in every situation, anyone worried about an infection should not ignore their concerns.
Speaking openly with a sexual health professional about the type of sexual contact you have had can help clinicians decide whether additional testing is appropriate.
