Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGonorrheaChlamydiaSyphilisOral HerpesHPVHIV and Oral TransmissionWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Gonorrhea
Chlamydia
Syphilis
Oral Herpes
HPV
HIV and Oral Transmission
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs (formerly called sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs), are primarily spread through various types of sexual contact. Some STIs can be transmitted orally and cause a sore throat.
Read on to learn more about STIs that can affect the throat and mouth, and how to treat them.
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A Word From VerywellThere’s a common misconception that STIs can only be transmitted with penetrative sex or genital-to-genital contact. Oral-genital contact can transmit all the same STIs. The majority of STIs can be treated or cured, so even if you may not have symptoms, it’s important to screen for them regularly.—CORDELIA NWANKWO, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
There’s a common misconception that STIs can only be transmitted with penetrative sex or genital-to-genital contact. Oral-genital contact can transmit all the same STIs. The majority of STIs can be treated or cured, so even if you may not have symptoms, it’s important to screen for them regularly.—CORDELIA NWANKWO, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
There’s a common misconception that STIs can only be transmitted with penetrative sex or genital-to-genital contact. Oral-genital contact can transmit all the same STIs. The majority of STIs can be treated or cured, so even if you may not have symptoms, it’s important to screen for them regularly.
—CORDELIA NWANKWO, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Gonorrhea in the Throat and Mouth
Left untreated, gonorrhea can cause a host of serious complications includingmiscarriage, infertility,septic arthritis, and blindness.
Gonorrheasymptomspresent differently in males and females. That said, gonorrhea sometimes causes no symptoms at all. This prevents many people from getting diagnosed and treated, which is whyregular STI testingis so important.
For females, gonorrhea may cause:
For males, gonorrhea may cause:
In general, those with symptomatic gonorrhea will start experiencing symptoms within 10 to 14 days of exposure.
Oral TransmissionGonorrhea can be spread throughoral sexperformed on the genitals or anus of someone with gonorrhea. Whileoral gonorrheaoften presents with no symptoms, it can cause:Sore throatThroat rednessFeverSwollen lymph nodes in the neck
Oral Transmission
Gonorrhea can be spread throughoral sexperformed on the genitals or anus of someone with gonorrhea. Whileoral gonorrheaoften presents with no symptoms, it can cause:Sore throatThroat rednessFeverSwollen lymph nodes in the neck
Gonorrhea can be spread throughoral sexperformed on the genitals or anus of someone with gonorrhea. Whileoral gonorrheaoften presents with no symptoms, it can cause:
Diagnosis and Treatment
Since gonorrhea is a bacterial infection, it istreatedprimarily with antibiotics, however, it has become resistant to most antibiotics. Reinfection is also common.
To address increasing antibiotic resistance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a single 500 mg intramuscular dose ofceftriaxone.
Chlamydia in the Throat and Mouth
Thesymptomsof chlamydia depend on the part of the body infected. This can include the vagina, penis, rectum, or throat. However, many people infected with this particular STI experienceno symptomsat all.
For those who do have a symptomatic case of chlamydia, frequent symptoms include:
Oral TransmissionOral chlamydiacan cause a sore throat and can include pus on the tonsils or pain when swallowing.
Oral chlamydiacan cause a sore throat and can include pus on the tonsils or pain when swallowing.
Chlamydia isdiagnosedthrough a urine sample or throat, urine, cervical, and rectal swabs. These are the only ways to confirm infection.
If someone tests positive for chlamydia, treatment options include prescription medications. The most effective is 100 mg of doxycycline orally, twice a day, for seven days.This treatment approach is also used in cases of oral chlamydia. If someone is allergic to this medication or is pregnant, alternative treatments are available.
Syphilis on the Tongue and Throat
Syphilissymptomsare based on the stage of infection. There are four stages, each one with distinct signs.
Syphilis isdiagnosedvia an antibody blood test. If antibodies are detected, the main course of treatment for syphilis is penicillin, but other types of antibiotics can be used as well.
Oral Herpes in the Throat and Mouth
HSV-1
HSV-1 is a strain of herpes that usually causes oral herpes or cold sores. HSV-1 can be spread through oral sex and cause sores on the genitals as well.
HSV-2
HSV-2 is another strain of herpes that commonly causes genital herpes. HSV-2 is primarily spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, which causes herpes sores on the genitals.
Oral herpes symptoms include:
Oral TransmissionHSV-1 can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, including during oral sex. Herpes is most contagious with opencold sores.
HSV-1 can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, including during oral sex. Herpes is most contagious with opencold sores.
Herpes can bediagnosedthrough blood tests as well as viral cultures. Self-checks can be performed as well if skin lesions are present. If you believe a cold sore could be the result of herpes, see a healthcare provider to get a confirmed diagnosis.
While herpes is not a curable STI, it is treatable. The main goals of herpestreatmentinclude:
HPV in the Throat and Mouth
Human papillomavirus (HPV)is a group of more than 200 viruses that cause warts. Of these 200 viruses, 40 variants can be transmitted through sexual contact and affect the genitals, anus, mouth, or throat.
HPV is often an asymptomatic infection. However, HPVsymptomscan include:
Oral TransmissionHPV can also impact the mouth. While this type of HPV is less common, it can still happen and cause warts in the mouth or throat. This may lead to a sore throat.
HPV can also impact the mouth. While this type of HPV is less common, it can still happen and cause warts in the mouth or throat. This may lead to a sore throat.
HPVdiagnosisinvolves detecting that HPV is present anddetermining which type is involved. It is important to diagnose the specific type of HPV because 14 are strongly correlated with cancer.HPV is thought to cause 70% oforopharyngealcancers in the United States. These are cancers of the back of the throat, the base of the tongue, and tonsils.
Many cases of HPV resolve on their own. Currently,no treatmentis available to cure HPV. Management strategies include monitoring for potential complications and resolving symptoms.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV can be transmitted orally.
HIV symptomswill vary based on the phase of infection someone finds themselves in. There are three stages:
Oral TransmissionHIV can be transmitted orally but poses little risk in actually doing so.
HIV can be transmitted orally but poses little risk in actually doing so.
It is important to contact your healthcare provider to set up a screening if:
Sexually active adults should get screened regularly for chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and HPV. It is also recommended everyone ages 13 to 64 be tested at least once for HIV.
Along with a sore mouth or throat, you should see a healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
Many STIs are treatable and need to be addressed in order to lower the risk of any complications.
When it comes to STI testing, various methods are used including urine and blood tests. Swabs may also be performed, as well as a physical examination.
At-home STI kitsare also available for those who feel uncomfortable going to a clinic or their healthcare provider.
The CDC recommends that men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) who have had a bacterial STI (specifically syphilis, chlamydia, or gonorrhea) diagnosed in the past 12 months or who have had condomless oral, anal, or vaginal sex should receive counseling from a healthcare provider that doxy PEP can be used as postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent these infections. Oral doxycycline is taken once within 72 hours of condomless oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
Summary
There are various types of STIs that can cause a sore throat. The only way to know for sure if the sore throat you are experiencing is an STI is to get tested. Sexually active individuals should get tested regularly, especially before starting a relationship with a new partner or having sex with someone new.
While STIs are nothing to be ashamed of, it is important to know if you have one to take charge of your sexual health and prevent spreading the infection to others. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested and any concerns you may have.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonorrhea.Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2021.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia.Karlsson A, Österlund A, Forssén A.Pharyngeal Chlamydia trachomatis is not uncommon any more.Scand J Infect Dis.2011;43(5):344-8. doi:10.3109/00365548.2011.553243Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted disease surveillance 2019.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.HPV.World Health Organization.Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV and oropharyngeal cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HIV risk behaviors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting tested for STIs.Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.CDC clinical guidelines on the use of doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis for bacterial sexually transmitted infection prevention, United States, 2024.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonorrhea.Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2021.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia.Karlsson A, Österlund A, Forssén A.Pharyngeal Chlamydia trachomatis is not uncommon any more.Scand J Infect Dis.2011;43(5):344-8. doi:10.3109/00365548.2011.553243Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted disease surveillance 2019.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.HPV.World Health Organization.Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV and oropharyngeal cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HIV risk behaviors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting tested for STIs.Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.CDC clinical guidelines on the use of doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis for bacterial sexually transmitted infection prevention, United States, 2024.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonorrhea.Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2021.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia.Karlsson A, Österlund A, Forssén A.Pharyngeal Chlamydia trachomatis is not uncommon any more.Scand J Infect Dis.2011;43(5):344-8. doi:10.3109/00365548.2011.553243Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted disease surveillance 2019.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.HPV.World Health Organization.Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV and oropharyngeal cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HIV risk behaviors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting tested for STIs.Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.CDC clinical guidelines on the use of doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis for bacterial sexually transmitted infection prevention, United States, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonorrhea.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2021.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted disease surveillance 2019.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.HPV.
World Health Organization.Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV and oropharyngeal cancer.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HIV risk behaviors.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting tested for STIs.
Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.CDC clinical guidelines on the use of doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis for bacterial sexually transmitted infection prevention, United States, 2024.
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