From the Research
Yes, chlamydia can be transmitted orally through oral sex with an infected partner. Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria can infect the throat (pharyngeal chlamydia) when someone performs oral sex on a partner who has genital or rectal chlamydia. This transmission occurs when the mouth comes into contact with infected genital fluids. Pharyngeal chlamydia often causes no symptoms, though some people may experience sore throat, mouth pain, or oral lesions.
Key Points to Consider
- If diagnosed, oral chlamydia is treated with the same antibiotics used for genital infections, typically azithromycin (1 gram single dose) or doxycycline (100mg twice daily for 7 days) 1, 2.
- Using barriers like condoms or dental dams during oral sex can reduce transmission risk.
- It's essential to know that someone with oral chlamydia can transmit the infection to a partner's genitals during oral sex, creating a cycle of infection.
- Regular STI testing is recommended for sexually active individuals, especially those with multiple partners or who engage in unprotected oral sex 3, 4.
- The most recent study 4 highlights the importance of considering oral transmission in the context of men who have sex with men, where gonorrhoea and chlamydia cases have been rising, with the majority being extragenital and occurring at the oropharynx and anorectum.
- Another study 5 also supports the transmission of non-viral STIs, including chlamydia, through oral sex, emphasizing the need for safe practices and regular testing.