Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can infect the genitals, rectum, and throat. When gonorrhea occurs in the mouth or throat, it is called oral gonorrhea or pharyngeal gonorrhea. Here is an overview of what oral gonorrhea looks like and its symptoms.
Appearance
Oral gonorrhea usually does not have any visible symptoms. In some cases, a person with oral gonorrhea may notice:
- White, yellow, or gray patches on the tonsils or throat
- Redness or soreness in the throat
- Swelling of the tonsils
However, many people with oral gonorrhea do not experience any symptoms at all. The infection can go unnoticed until complications develop or the person is diagnosed through testing.
Common Symptoms
Although oral gonorrhea often does not have visible signs, some people may experience throat symptoms including:
- Sore throat
- Pain or discomfort when swallowing
- Inflamed, scratchy sensation in the throat
- Pus-like discharge in the throat
In addition to throat symptoms, some other common symptoms of oral gonorrhea include:
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Fever
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Rash
Who is at Risk?
Anyone who engages in oral sex can get oral gonorrhea, but some groups have a higher risk, including:
- Sexually active women under 25
- Men who have sex with men (MSM)
- People with new or multiple sex partners
- People who do not use protection (condoms or dental dams) during oral sex
- People with a current gonorrhea infection of the genitals, rectum, or throat
How Oral Gonorrhea is Transmitted
Oral gonorrhea is caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is spread through unprotected oral sex with an infected partner. This includes:
- Performing oral sex (giving fellatio) on a penis infected with gonorrhea
- Receiving oral sex (receiving cunnilingus) from someone with oral gonorrhea
- Anilingus (mouth to anus contact) with a partner with a gonorrhea infection
Using condoms or dental dams during oral sex can help reduce the risk of transmission. But gonorrhea can still be passed through uncovered body parts or skin-to-skin contact.
Complications
When left untreated, oral gonorrhea can lead to serious complications over time. Potential complications include:
- Abscesses: Pockets of pus caused by infection. Abscesses can develop in the tonsils, throat, or nearby tissues.
- Sepsis: A life-threatening complication when an infection spreads through the bloodstream.
- Infertility: Scarring from gonorrhea can lead to blocked fallopian tubes in women and epididymitis in men.
- Increased risk of HIV: Oral gonorrhea increases the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV.
- Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI): Gonorrhea spreads to the bloodstream and joints.
When to See a Doctor
It’s important to see a doctor if you have any symptoms of oral gonorrhea or think you may have been exposed through unprotected oral sex. Symptoms usually appear 2-10 days after infection, but can take months to show up.
Getting tested is the only way to know if you have oral gonorrhea. A doctor can test for gonorrhea by taking a throat culture or swab.
Oral gonorrhea requires treatment with antibiotics. The infection can spread quickly and have serious effects, so prompt medical care is essential.
Treatment
Oral gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics, usually an injection of ceftriaxone plus a single oral dose of azithromycin or doxycycline. This is sometimes followed by additional doses of oral antibiotics.
It is important to complete the full course of treatment and avoid having sex for one week after finishing antibiotics. Be sure to get retested after 3 months to confirm the infection is gone.
All sexual partners from the past 2 months should be notified, tested, and treated. This helps prevent reinfection and further spread.
Prevention
Practicing safe oral sex is the best way to prevent oral gonorrhea. Protective measures include:
- Using condoms or dental dams for oral sex
- Limiting your number of oral sex partners
- Asking partners to get tested before having oral sex
- Avoiding oral sex with partners who have symptoms
Getting regularly tested for STIs is also important, especially if engaging in unprotected oral sex with new partners.
Key Points
- Oral gonorrhea often does not cause visible symptoms. Some people notice a sore throat, white/grey patches, or tonsil swelling.
- Common symptoms include throat pain, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and joint pain.
- Oral gonorrhea is spread through giving or receiving oral sex with an infected partner.
- Using protection like condoms and dental dams can lower – but not eliminate – the risk.
- Without treatment, serious complications can develop like abscesses, sepsis, infertility, and increased HIV risk.
- See a doctor right away if you have symptoms or think you’ve been exposed. Antibiotic treatment can cure oral gonorrhea.
The Bottom Line
Oral gonorrhea often has no visible symptoms, but some people may notice a sore throat or swollen tonsils. It is spread through oral sex and increases the risk of HIV infection. With prompt antibiotic treatment, oral gonorrhea can be cured. Practicing safe oral sex is important to help prevent transmission.
Oral gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection. Understanding the signs, symptoms, and transmission can help with early detection and prevention.
| Type of Symptom | Specific Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Visible symptoms |
|
| Throat symptoms |
|
| Other common symptoms |
|
| Method of Transmission | Details |
|---|---|
| Giving oral sex | Performing oral sex on a penis infected with gonorrhea |
| Receiving oral sex | Getting oral sex from someone with oral gonorrhea |
| Anilingus | Mouth to anus contact with infected partner |
| Potential Complication | Description |
|---|---|
| Abscesses | Pockets of pus in tonsils or throat |
| Sepsis | Infection spreads to bloodstream |
| Infertility | Scarring blocks reproductive organs |
| Increased HIV risk | Higher risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV |
| Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) | Gonorrhea spreads to blood and joints |
| Prevention Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Condoms/dental dams | Use during oral sex |
| Limit partners | Reduce number of oral sex partners |
| Testing | Ask partners to get tested before oral sex |
| Avoid symptomatic partners | Don’t perform oral sex on partners with symptoms |
| Regular STI testing | Get tested regularly, especially with new partners |