Chlamydia is a common bacterial infection that can affect anyone who is sexually active. It is one of the most frequently reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly among individuals under 25. Many people wonder about the various ways chlamydia can spread, especially concerning casual contact like kissing. Understanding transmission routes is important for accurate health information.
How Chlamydia Spreads
Chlamydia is not transmitted through casual physical contact like kissing, hugging, or sharing food and drinks. Saliva does not carry enough bacteria to cause infection, so you cannot get chlamydia from kissing, even if someone has a throat infection.
The primary mode of transmission for chlamydia is through unprotected sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. The bacteria, Chlamydia trachomatis, are found in infected vaginal fluid and semen. Transmission occurs when these fluids contact mucous membranes, even without full penetration or ejaculation, simply through genital-to-genital contact. Chlamydia can also be passed from a pregnant individual to their baby during childbirth.
Oral Chlamydia and Its Real Risks
Oral chlamydia can affect the mouth or throat. It is primarily contracted through unprotected oral sex with an infected partner.
Oral chlamydia often has no noticeable symptoms, making detection difficult. When symptoms appear, they may include a sore throat, redness, or swelling, sometimes mistaken for a cold or flu. If left untreated, oral chlamydia can lead to other health issues.
What Chlamydia Symptoms Look Like
Chlamydia is often called a “silent infection” because many infected people do not experience symptoms. Symptoms usually appear one to three weeks after exposure, though they can take several months. Even if symptoms disappear, the infection may still be present and transmissible.
In individuals with vaginas, common symptoms include unusual vaginal discharge (white, yellow, or gray, possibly with odor), pain or burning during urination, bleeding between periods or after sex, and lower abdominal pain. For individuals with penises, symptoms may include white, cloudy, or watery discharge from the penis tip, pain and burning during urination, or pain or swelling in one or both testicles. Chlamydia can also affect the rectum, causing discomfort, discharge, or bleeding, typically from anal sex.
Getting Tested and Treated
Early diagnosis and treatment of chlamydia are important to prevent potential complications. Testing involves analyzing a cell sample, often collected via a urine test for both sexes. Alternatively, a healthcare professional may use a swab to collect samples from the cervix, vagina, urethra, anus, or throat, depending on the suspected site of infection. Some at-home test kits are available where individuals collect a sample and send it to a lab.
Chlamydia is treated effectively with antibiotics. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics include doxycycline (taken for seven days) or a single dose of azithromycin. It is important to complete the entire course of medication, even if symptoms improve or disappear.
After treatment, avoid sexual activity for at least seven days to ensure the infection has cleared and prevent re-transmission. All recent sexual partners should be notified and tested to prevent reinfection and further spread. Retesting is recommended about three months after treatment to confirm the infection is gone and to check for new infections.