Can You Get Chlamydia in Your Mouth? What to Know About Oral Transmission

Many people assume that oral sex carries little or no risk of sexually transmitted infections. In practice, several STIs — including chlamydia — can be transmitted through oral-genital contact. Oral chlamydia, which infects the throat (pharynx), is more common than many people realise, partly because it rarely produces noticeable symptoms.

Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. While genital chlamydia is widely discussed, throat infections receive less attention despite being a recognised transmission route. Because oral chlamydia is frequently asymptomatic, it can go undetected without specific testing — which is why understanding the risks, knowing when to test, and requesting appropriate screening matters.

This article explains how chlamydia can affect the throat, what symptoms to be aware of, how testing works, and when screening may be appropriate.

How Is Chlamydia Transmitted?

Chlamydia is one of the most common bacterial STIs in the UK. It spreads through direct contact with infected genital fluids and can be transmitted through several routes:

• Vaginal sex — the most common transmission route
• Anal sex — can infect the rectum
• Oral sex — can infect the throat (pharynx)
• Contact with infected genital fluids or secretions
• Sharing sex toys that have not been properly cleaned or covered
• Transmission from mother to baby during childbirth

What Happens When Chlamydia Infects the Throat?

When chlamydia is transmitted through oral sex, the bacterium can colonise the pharynx — the area at the back of the throat. This is known as pharyngeal chlamydia.

In most cases, a throat chlamydia infection produces no symptoms at all. The individual may be entirely unaware that the infection is present, which is why it is often detected incidentally during routine screening rather than because symptoms prompted a visit.

When symptoms do occur, they tend to be mild and non-specific — similar to a common sore throat — making clinical distinction from other causes difficult without laboratory testing. Pharyngeal chlamydia is generally a localised infection that does not typically cause serious throat complications, but it can persist if not identified.

Symptoms of Oral (Throat) Chlamydia

"Many people with oral chlamydia have no symptoms at all. The infection is frequently detected through screening rather than symptom-driven testing."

When symptoms are present, they may include:

How Is Oral Chlamydia Diagnosed?

Diagnosing oral chlamydia requires a specific throat swab test. The process is straightforward:

If you have had oral sex with a new or casual partner, requesting a chlamydia and gonorrhoea test that includes a throat swab can help ensure that pharyngeal infection is not missed. We provide confidential laboratory testing.

Should You Be Tested After Oral Sex?

Because oral chlamydia is usually asymptomatic, relying on symptoms alone is not a reliable way to determine whether you have been infected. Testing may be appropriate in the following situations:

• After unprotected oral sex with a new or casual partner
• If a current or previous partner has been diagnosed with chlamydia
• As part of routine sexual health screening if you are sexually active
• If you have symptoms such as a persistent sore throat after oral sexual contact
• Before starting a new sexual relationship, for mutual peace of mind

Screening is straightforward and confidential. At our private sexual health clinic London, throat swab testing can be arranged quickly and discreetly, with results typically available within a few working days.

Can Oral Chlamydia Cause Complications?

Oral chlamydia is generally considered a localised infection. In most cases, it remains confined to the throat and does not cause serious systemic complications. However, there are reasons why identification matters:

Timely testing ensures that any infection is identified and can be appropriately managed, reducing the risk of unknowing transmission.

How Is Oral Chlamydia Treated?

Chlamydia — including pharyngeal infection — is treated with antibiotics prescribed through appropriate medical services. Treatment is typically straightforward, and the infection usually resolves following a standard course of medication.

It is generally recommended to abstain from sexual contact until treatment has been completed and a follow-up period has passed, to reduce the risk of transmitting the infection.

Preventing Oral Chlamydia

While no prevention method eliminates risk entirely, the following measures can significantly reduce the likelihood of oral chlamydia transmission:

• Use condoms during oral sex performed on a male partner
• Use dental dams during oral sex performed on a female partner
• Attend regular STI screening, particularly after new or unprotected sexual contact
• Communicate openly with partners about sexual health and testing history
• Avoid sharing sex toys that have not been thoroughly cleaned or covered with a fresh barrier

Comprehensive screening — including tests for other infections such as an HIV test — can form a valuable part of routine sexual health maintenance, particularly for individuals who are sexually active with multiple or new partners.

Testing Multiple Sites: Why It Matters

Chlamydia can infect the throat, genitals, and rectum simultaneously — and an infection at one site does not guarantee infection (or clearance) at another. This is why comprehensive multi-site testing is important:

If you are undergoing STI screening, requesting a syphilis test alongside chlamydia testing provides a more complete picture of your sexual health status.

Frequently Asked Questions