Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can infect the throat. Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and can be transmitted through oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner. While many people with chlamydia are asymptomatic, a chlamydia infection in the throat can cause symptoms like sore throat, coughing, and fever.
How is chlamydia transmitted to the throat?
Chlamydia bacteria can be transmitted to the throat through oral sex with an infected partner. Performing oral sex on a partner who has a chlamydia infection in their genitals can spread the bacteria to the throat. Less commonly, receiving oral sex from an infected partner can also transmit chlamydia to the throat. Using barriers like condoms or dental dams during oral sex can help reduce the risk of transmission.
What are the symptoms of chlamydia in the throat?
Many people with a chlamydia infection in the throat have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they may be very mild and can include:
- Sore throat
- Swollen tonsils
- Pain when swallowing
- Fever
- Cough
- Hoarse voice
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
These symptoms may appear between 1 to 3 weeks after becoming infected and are usually mild. It’s important to note that a sore throat caused by chlamydia can occur without any other flu-like symptoms.
How do you test for chlamydia in the throat?
Testing is the only way to confirm a diagnosis of chlamydia in the throat. Your doctor can swab the throat and test the sample for the presence of chlamydia bacteria. This is similar to how chlamydia is tested for in the urethra or cervix. The throat swab is easy and painless.
Results take about 1-5 days to come back. Your doctor may also recommend testing for other STIs at the same time, as co-infections are common.
What are the complications of untreated chlamydia in the throat?
While rare, there are some potential complications that can occur if chlamydia in the throat goes untreated:
- The infection may persist long-term and cause recurring sore throats.
- It may spread the infection to sexual partners.
- In very rare cases, it may spread the infection deeper into the body and cause illnesses like pneumonia or hepatitis.
To avoid complications, it’s important to get tested and treated if you have symptoms or believe you’ve been exposed to chlamydia.
How is chlamydia in the throat treated?
Chlamydia in the throat is easily cured with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. The recommended antibiotics are either azithromycin (taken as a single dose) or doxycycline (taken twice daily for 7 days).
Your sexual partners should also be notified, tested and treated to prevent reinfection and spreading the bacteria further. It’s advised to abstain from oral, vaginal and anal sex until the infection has cleared.
Treatment is very effective and symptoms usually resolve quickly once antibiotics are started. However, it is essential to finish the entire course of antibiotics, even if symptoms improve. Your doctor can confirm the infection is cured with a follow up throat swab 4 weeks after treatment.
How to prevent chlamydia in the throat
Here are some tips to help prevent getting chlamydia in the throat:
- Use condoms, female condoms or dental dams for oral sex.
- Limit the number of sexual partners.
- Get tested regularly, especially if engaging in new or casual sexual relationships.
- Ask partners to get tested before having oral sex.
- Avoid contact with sexual fluids.
While using protection reduces risk, the only sure way to prevent chlamydia is to not have oral sex. If engaging in oral sex, proactive testing and early treatment is key.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you experience a persistent sore throat, especially if you’ve had unprotected oral sex. Inform your doctor about any sexual behaviors that may have put you at risk.
Getting tested is the only way to know if a sore throat is caused by chlamydia or another condition. Prompt treatment will cure the infection before complications can occur.
Key points
Here are the key points about what chlamydia throat infections feel like:
- Chlamydia can infect the throat through oral sex.
- Symptoms can include sore throat, cough, fever and swollen lymph nodes.
- However, most people have no symptoms.
- Testing with a throat swab is required for diagnosis.
- It’s treated with antibiotics and is usually easy to cure.
- Using protection during oral sex reduces the risk of transmission.
The bottom line
While chlamydia in the throat often has no symptoms, some people may experience a mild sore throat, cough or discomfort with swallowing. The only way to confirm a diagnosis is through testing.
With appropriate antibiotic treatment, chlamydia throat infections are easily cured. Practicing safe oral sex by using barriers can help prevent transmission in the first place.