Chlamydia in the throat

• You can get chlamydia in the throat through oral sex (cupping, sucking and rimming). It is a sexually transmitted disease (an STD).
• A possible symptom of chlamydia in the throat is sore throat, but it usually does not cause any symptoms. So you can infect others unnoticed.
• Chlamydia in the throat is fortunately less contagious than chlamydia in the penis, vagina or anus.
• Often it also goes away on its own, but if it is found with a test then you get treatment. That way you know for sure when you are no longer contagious.
• The treatment for chlamydia in the throat is antibiotics (tablets).
• Avoid sexual intercourse for 1 week after taking the medication, after that you are cured.
• Also warn your sex partners so you don't get it again

Chlamydia throat: man and woman

"Since when can you get chlamydia in your throat?!" This is a comment we often hear in OneDayClinic's consulting rooms.

From chlamydia at the site of the genitals, of course, we have all heard of it. In fact, this is the STD most commonly found in the Netherlands each year, it is estimated that 60,000 people in the Netherlands get it annually. Anyone can get chlamydia, as a man, as a woman and as a transgender or non-binary person, with any orientation and sexual preference; it occurs among the entire population. It is usually found in the penis, vagina or anus. But did you know that you can also get chlamydia in your throat? A chlamydia infection in the throat is many times less common than an infection on the genitals, though. So the chances of contracting chlamydia in the throat are much lower.

If you have oral sex (when you blow/butt/rim someone) you run the risk of getting chlamydia bacteria in your throat. Especially with blowjobs, this happens frequently. The chance of getting chlamydia in your throat from eating mouth is very small, but it is not impossible.

So that's how you get an STD in your mouth or throat. You don't have to have any symptoms from this, but it can. For example, you may get a sore throat, difficulty swallowing or your lymph nodes in your neck may swell.

Learn more about this STD on our comprehensive information page on chlamydia. 

How is Chlamydia tested in the throat?

To find out if you might have chlamydia in your throat, you can have a swab taken from your throat. This involves a doctor or nurse gently stroking a cotton swab along your throat. This can be somewhat uncomfortable for a few seconds, but does not hurt and fortunately does not have to be as deep as coronate testing. The material that has been collected is then examined for the presence of genetic material from the chlamydia bacteria by means of a PCR test; the most reliable way to diagnose chlamydia.

If you take a chlamydia test at OneDayClinic you will usually have a result after 1 or 2 working days. You can easily view the results yourself in our results portal. You can do this at a time that is convenient for you; you do not have to wait for a phone call from a doctor. You can make an appointment for a chlamydia test here.

Want a result even faster? Then you can also have a rapid test for chlamydia in the throat, where you will hear the result after only 90 minutes. This also allows you to be treated the same day if necessary. This rapid test is as reliable as a regular test because a PCR test is performed on site. So the type of test is the same as at the laboratory. Make a rapid test appointment at a OneDayClinic near you here. 

All of our tests are also completely anonymous. You may make up your own name and date of birth. 

How do I prevent an STD in my mouth?

Preventing an STD in the mouth or throat is very simple, namely by using a barrier and using it to prevent getting semen, pre-cum or vaginal fluids in your mouth. From penetrative sex (penis in vagina/anus) with condom, many people do know that this protects you from STDs. Often prior to this sex, people also have oral sex with each other. Oral sex is often practiced without a condom, or beflap. This often has to do with the fact that people do not like having a condom with lubricant in their mouths. But you can also get an STD from unsafe oral sex! If you want to prevent an STD (and thus chlamydia) in your mouth, simply use a dental flap or condom for oral sex as well. By the way, did you know that you can also cut open a condom and use it as a dental flap?

Chlamydia in the throat, what are the odds?

People who satisfy men orally (blow jobs) are slightly more likely to get an oral STD than those who satisfy women orally (eating pussy). This is due to the fact that a penis often goes deeper into the mouth and can therefore infect the throat mucosa more easily. Moreover, when you ejaculate, you get a lot of the other person's body fluids at once, which can also contain chlamydia bacteria. Chlamydia in the throat is fortunately rare, but you are most likely to get it when you give unsafe blowjobs. 

Symptoms STD chlamydia in the mouth

The incubation period of chlamydia in the throat is 1-3 weeks, which is how long it can take before you develop symptoms. You can test reliably starting 2 weeks after sexual contact. As with chlamydia of your genitals, chlamydia in your throat does not always cause symptoms. In fact, usually people don't notice anything if their throat is infected. It can also be vague symptoms or very mild symptoms. Symptoms in which you may think of oral chlamydia are:

• sore throat 
• swallowing pain
• swollen glands in the neck

What is the treatment of Chlamydia in the mouth or throat?

Treatment for Chlamydia in the mouth or throat is the same as that for genital Chlamydia. The treatment consists of a one-time dose of antibiotics. After that, you should not have sex or masturbate for a week; after that, you are declared cured and safe again. However, it is important that you warn your sex partner(s) so they can also get tested/treated and not re-infect you. At OneDayClinic we have the necessary medication in stock at all our clinics. So if you have tested positive, you can get treatment the same day. We can also treat you with a result from somewhere else, provided it comes from a certified laboratory and your name and date of birth are on it. Simply make your treatment appointment here. 

Testing for Chlamydia in your throat?

Have you had unsafe oral sex and want to know if you have an STD? Have you been warned about an STD? Or do you have symptoms that could fit an STD? Then it is wise to take an STD test to do. We can also test your throat for chlamydia and gonorrhea if you wish. Please indicate this at the time of your appointment. All your wishes and concerns can be discussed with our doctor/nurse during the consultation. You will then receive personalized testing advice.

For an STD test at OneDayClinic, you can often make an appointment the same day. The result of your STD test often the next working day and with a rapid test even after 90 minutes. We have no waiting lists; usually you can get in today. 

You can go for an anonymous chlamydia test at OneDayClinic in:

• Amsterdam
• Rotterdam
• The Hague
• Utrecht
• Nijmegen
• Eindhoven
• Breda

This is an update to our blog on chlamydia in the throat published August 24, 2018.