Chlamydia bumps on the tongue can be one of the rare signs that you have this STI. Unfortunately, chlamydia is among the most widespread sexually transmitted infections in the United States. Usually, it affects body parts like the rectum and the genitals, but in many cases, it can also infect a person’s throat. This article will discuss oral chlamydia, its signs and symptoms, who is at risk, other related medical conditions, treatment methods, and more. You will also find answers to some commonly asked questions regarding chlamydia in the throat.
Getting tested regularly is crucial to identify the sexually transmitted infection and receive proper medical attention. By getting treated on time, you enhance the chances of recovery and prevent the further spread of the infection. If you are looking for the best clinic and expert professionals, get STD testing in South Miami, Florida.
Here is everything you need to know about oral chlamydia. Keep reading.
What is Chlamydia?
The sexually transmitted infection or “STI” that is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, a bacteria, is what we call “chlamydia.” This serious infection can result in severe health complications if left untreated. Even though chlamydia usually affects a person’s genitals, you can also get this sexually transmitted infection via oral sex. As a result, patients with this condition can notice chlamydia bumps on the tongue or other signs of infections.
What is Oral Chlamydia?
According to experts, a patient with chlamydia in the throat is a pharyngeal chlamydia infection.
Although oral chlamydia is possible, it is improbable. To understand why the chances are slim, it is crucial to realize the transmission of chlamydia happens. Any individual can get this sexually transmitted infection when the mucus membranes (such as the rectum, penis, or vagina) come in contact with the bacteria that causes chlamydia. These harmful bacteria may enter the person’s mucus membranes and spread.
In some cases, chlamydia is not accompanied by symptoms. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause severe and irreversible damage. In most situations, a patient will get chlamydia through unprotected vaginal or anal sexual intercourse. The harmful bacteria usually infect and cause typical symptoms where they initially enter the person’s body. If you have had oral sex with an individual with a genital chlamydia infection, you may get oral chlamydia. Moreover, receiving oral sex from an individual who has chlamydia in the throat can lead to the possibility of getting genital chlamydia.
Contrary to what some people believe, it is impossible to get chlamydia by kissing someone.
Although the exact reasons remain unknown, experts claim that the bacteria associated with this infection usually infect the groin region more efficiently, such as the rectum, penis, or vagina. However, in some instances, patients may have chlamydia in the throat.
According to the CBD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), chlamydia is not a significant throat infection. In reality, your chances of getting oral chlamydia symptoms are slimmer than genital chlamydia.
Findings reveal that pharyngeal chlamydia is less common than rectal or urogenital infections. According to a review of previous studies, women and men who have male partners are at almost the same risk of getting oral chlamydia (occurring in about 3.2 percent of women and 3.6 percent of men, respectively). Unfortunately, the research done on the rate of oral chlamydia among men with female sexual partners is scarce.
Receive regular testing for sexually transmitted infections and choose professionals at Obstetrics and Gynecology in South Miami, Florida.
Chlamydia Bumps on Tongue and Other Symptoms
How do you know you have “chlamydia throat”? What are some of the signs and symptoms you should be aware of? When should you get tested? Get tested regularly if you are sexually active and even if you don’t notice symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection. Many infections do not have signs, and it is easy to go undiagnosed. Unfortunately, if you do not get a proper diagnosis and treatment, you may risk worsening the condition and irreversible damage to your health.
That said, here are some of the most common oral chlamydia symptoms:
- Dental issues
- Mouth pain and soreness
- Sore throat
- Sores around your mouth and lips
- Mouth sores that aren’t healing
In most cases, patients complain of oral chlamydia symptoms that involve pain and soreness in the mouth and throat area. However, in rare cases, patients may also experience chlamydia bumps on the tongue. Although rare, these symptoms are possible, and it is a sign that you require immediate medical attention. Seek out the help and guidance of a professional immediately to find out about your options.
How Is Oral Chlamydia Diagnosed?
You are aware of some of the oral chlamydia symptoms, and you are ready to head to the doctor’s office. Your healthcare professional will diagnose you and recommend some treatment options. Fortunately, even though chlamydia throat is a severe sexually transmitted infection, the diagnosis process and the treatment are relatively simple. Your doctor will recommend tests to screen for the infection. As a side note, chlamydia screening is not a routine part of testing for sexually transmitted diseases.
Another way to diagnose chlamydia is via a urine sample, which is ineffective for oral chlamydia. Instead, doctors prefer using throat swabs to test for oral chlamydia. The swab is sent to the laboratory for further analysis. On the downside, the test may be tricky since the FDA or Food and Drug Administration has not approved swab tests for oral chlamydia. Also, the human throat contains an abundance of bacteria, which makes the process of finding chlamydia bacteria harder.
Chlamydia in the Throat Treatment
Here is some good news: Doctors will treat chlamydia throat with antibiotics. These are the same antibiotics prescribed for genital chlamydia treatment. Your medical professional will also tell you to avoid sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral, and anal) for a minimum of seven days if you are using a one-time dose of antibiotics. If you need to be treated for a longer time, you will have to wait until you have taken all of the medication before having intercourse again.
Keep in mind that patients who have been treated for sexually transmitted infections can get it again. The treatments may help treat side effects associated with chlamydia.
After receiving treatment, it is recommended always to use a condom when having sex. This way, you will minimize the chances of getting a new infection.
If left untreated, the risks of the infection include:
- Pelvic inflammation disease
- Upper genital tract inflammation
- Boosted risks of premature delivery in pregnant patients
- Boosted risk of ectopic pregnancy
- Perihepatitis
- Inflammatory arthritis, like reactive arthritis
Chlamydia in Throat and Related Conditions
Another common sexually transmitted infection affecting a person’s genitals, throat, and rectum is gonorrhea. This infection is caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria, which usually exists alongside chlamydia (some findings show that 70 percent of patients with chlamydia also have gonorrhea).
Similar to chlamydia, gonorrhea can have zero signs and symptoms. However, when there are symptoms, patients feel pain when urinating and having sexual intercourse, abnormal genital discharge, soreness or pain in the throat, or a fever.
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