Chlamydia in the Mouth: Symptoms, Causes & Effective Treatment

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It spreads through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person, and research shows it affects roughly 128 million people around the world each year.

While it mostly affects the genitals, it can also be found on the rectum, eyes, or the mouth and throat. Chlamydia in the mouth is less common than genital or anal chlamydia, but many people still experience it worldwide.

No matter where on your body chlamydia is, it’s caused by the same bacterium, and can be easily treated with antibiotics. Understanding oral chlamydia is the first step towards effective treatment, helping you get rid of the stubborn bacterial infection and prevent it from coming back in the future.

Most cases of chlamydia show no symptoms at all, so it can be difficult to tell whether or not you have it. That said, here are the most common symptoms of oral chlamydia to look out for:

• Sores on the lips or inside the mouth
• Pain or difficulty swallowing
• Pain or burning when eating or drinking
• Fever
• White spots on the tonsils
• Sore throat (pharyngitis)
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Symptoms of chlamydia in the throat or mouth can differ widely if they do happen, and you may experience symptoms not mentioned here.

Symptoms like mouth sores, fever, and white spots on the tonsils could be signs of a number of other infections, such as thrush. If you experience any of the symptoms listed, it’s important to see a doctor for accurate diagnosis

Dr. Caroline Fontana Lead Prescribing Doctor

What can chlamydia look like in the mouth?

As previously mentioned, oral chlamydia doesn’t usually have any visible symptoms, so you may not notice anything different even if you test positive.

If you do get symptoms, chlamydia can appear in your mouth, on your tongue, or in your throat.

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Similarities with other conditions

Because symptoms of oral chlamydia are often mild or nonspecific, it can be easily confused with other conditions. This can make it difficult to diagnose your condition and delay treatment.

Symptoms like a sore throat, white spots, and sores may not be chlamydia, but something entirely different. Here is a table detailing conditions commonly mistaken for oral chlamydia:

Oral chlamydia is passed through oral sex with someone who has chlamydia. When the genitals of somebody carrying the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium come in contact with the mouth or throat, the bacteria can be passed on.

To protect against chlamydia, always wear condoms during sex, even during oral.

Can you catch chlamydia through kissing?

You cannot catch oral chlamydia through kissing. Kissing doesn’t transmit chlamydia because the bacteria don’t survive well in saliva.

However, you should still refrain from engaging in any sexual activity, including kissing, until your chlamydia is cured, especially if you have symptoms of chlamydia on your tongue.

Anyone who has unprotected oral sex with someone infected with chlamydia is at risk of oral chlamydia, but some factors can make you more at risk.

Young adults

Chlamydia is most common in people aged 15-25 years old, with research suggesting around 1 in 10 young adults get chlamydia at some point.

Those with multiple partners

A study involving 467 19-22-year-olds found that the more sexual partners they had, the more likely they were to contract an STI. This was especially true for chlamydia, which was the most frequently reported STI in this study (6.3% of cases).

Since chlamydia is often asymptomatic, regular testing is essential if you are sexually active.

Testing for oral chlamydia involves taking a throat swab to check for the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium. You can do the test yourself at home with a self-test kit, or you can visit a doctor.

TIP:

It’s advised to wait at least two weeks after potential exposure, as the infection may not show up immediately.

Treatment for chlamydia of the mouth is simple and effective, usually only needing one round of antibiotics. There are two options for treating chlamydia depending on individual risk factors:

If you discover you have chlamydia, it’s important to treat it as soon as possible to avoid complications.

In women

Women in particular are at risk of health complications if they do not treat their chlamydia infection.

Potential complications include:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): An infection of the reproductive organs that can cause:
  • Chronic pelvic pain
  • Infertility
  • Ectopic pregnancy (a life-threatening condition)
• Problems during pregnancy: Untreated chlamydia can be passed to the baby during childbirth, causing:
  • Neonatal conjunctivitis (eye infection)
  • Pneumonia
  • Increased risk of premature birth

In men

While the complications are typically less severe in men, they can still occur if the infection is left untreated.

Potential complications of mouth or throat chlamydia include:

• Epididymitis: Inflammation of the tube behind the testicles that can cause:
  • Pain and swelling
  • Infertility
• Higher risk of transmission: Men with untreated chlamydia can more easily pass it on through sex, even if they have no symptoms.

Symptoms like mouth sores, fever, and white spots on the tonsils could be signs of a number of other infections, such as thrush. If you experience any of the symptoms listed, it’s important to see a doctor for accurate diagnosis

Dr. Caroline Fontana Lead Prescribing Doctor

Being diagnosed with oral chlamydia doesn’t need to be overwhelming. With proper treatment, chlamydia in the throat or mouth is both curable and manageable.

Follow these tips to properly control the infection:

Complete the full course of antibiotics

Even if symptoms disappear, finishing all medication ensures effective treatment.

Refrain from sexual activity

Avoid sexual contact, including kissing, until your treatment is complete.

Communicate openly with partners

Your recent contacts may not know they're infected and need testing.

Use condoms or dental dams

Barrier methods provide important protection during oral sex to prevent reinfection or other STIs.

Schedule regular STI check-ups

If you're sexually active, routine screening helps catch infections early.

While oral chlamydia can often be treated without complications, there are key times when medical advice is essential:

• If you keep getting infected – Recurrent chlamydia may point to untreated partners, incorrect use of treatment, or another underlying issue.
• If you’re pregnant or planning to conceive – Chlamydia can harm both mother and baby. Early diagnosis and safe treatment are important to reduce pregnancy-related risks.
• If you’re unsure how to get tested – A doctor or sexual health clinic can guide you on the right test and show you the proper way to complete it.
• After treatment to double check – While a test of cure isn’t always needed, it’s recommended if you’re pregnant, symptoms persist, or you have reason to believe treatment may have failed.