Sore Throat and Oral Sex - Exploring the Link

Introduction

Oral sex is a sexually satisfying pleasure activity that involves arousal of the male or female genitalia by another person using the mouth, tongue, throat, or other forms. It has become a common sexual practice among all groups of people. Despite common practice, very few people use condoms while performing oral sex. This raises the risk of transmitting certain sexually transmitted diseases in someone’s mouth or throat, and sore throat is a common clinical manifestation observed among affected individuals. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in oral form. So, it becomes crucial to perform safe oral sex.

Who Is at a Higher Risk of Developing Sore Throat After Oral Sex?

Anyone who is exposed to an infected sex partner can develop the disease. Individuals who perform oral sex on the penis of males are at a higher risk of developing sore throats after developing the sexually transmitted disease. On the other hand, individuals who perform oral sex on the vagina, vulva, or clitoris are at a lower risk of acquiring the infection.

What Are the Most Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases of Mouth?

1. Gonorrhea of the Throat and Mouth: It is a common STD of the mouth caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. It is usually transmitted through an unprotected sexual act. It can affect the gonads, oral mucosa, and the throat.

Clinical Symptoms:

• Vaginal or penile discharge.

• Burning during urination.

• Itchy vagina.

• Menstrual irregularity.

• Painful sex.

• Pain and swelling in the scrotum.

Oral Symptoms:

• Redness in the throat.

• Sore throat.

• Mouth ulcers.

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

• Fever.

The symptoms start appearing almost ten to 15 days after the acquired infection.

Diagnosis and Management: A urine sample is collected and sent to the laboratory for urine analysis. Also, a throat swab can be collected from the potentially infected site. It is crucial to consult a healthcare professional immediately if the patient is worried about being exposed to the infection.

The management of gonorrheal lesions is usually done by using oral antibiotics. However, recurrent infection is quite common due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Ceftriaxone is the drug of choice in most cases. It is usually administered intramuscularly.

2. Chlamydia Infection in the Oral Cavity and Throat: Chlamydia infection is considered the most common sexually transmitted infection of the throat and mouth. It is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, a bacterium, and commonly causes infection among the youth worldwide.

Clinical Symptoms:

• Vaginal discharge.

• Greenish or yellow discharge from the penis.

• Pain during sex.

• Swollen genitals.

• Pain in the abdomen.

• Bleeding in between the menstrual cycle.

Oral Symptoms:

• Sore throat.

• Tonsillitis (pus and swelling on the tonsils).

• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).

• Pain while swallowing food or liquids.

Diagnosis and Management: The diagnosis of the infection can be made by one of these:

• Urine analysis by collecting a urine sample.

• Throat swab.

• Vaginal swab.

• Rectal swab.

The oral or genital lesions are effectively treated by giving Doxycycline orally.

3. Syphilis in Throat and Tongue: It is also a frequently occurring STD that is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It is usually transmitted through unprotected anal, vaginal, or oral sex.

Clinical Symptoms: The symptoms of syphilis are usually divided into four stages.

• Stage 1- It is also known as primary syphilis. It is characterized by the presence of chancres. It is a sore or an ulcer that usually develops at sexual contact on the vagina, cervix, penis, anus, or tongue. The ulcer is typically painless and appears about 21 days after exposure.

• Stage 2- This stage is called secondary syphilis. The symptoms during this stage usually appear after five to eleven weeks after the initial exposure. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, rashes, headache, fever, and chills.

• Stage 3- It is also called latent syphilis. This stage does not show any clinical signs or symptoms.

• Stage 4- This stage is also known as tertiary syphilis. This stage is fatal and can involve multiple organs.

Diagnosis and Management: The infection is usually diagnosed through a haemagglutinin antibody blood test. The main drug of choice is Penicillin, an oral antibiotic.

4. Herpes in the Throat and Oral Cavity: Herpes infection is caused by a virus called herpes simplex virus. The type of infection depends on the type of HSV strain involved.

• HSV-1: HSV-1 strain usually causes oral herpes or mouth sores. The mode of transmission can be oral or via the genital area.

• HSV-2: HSV-2 strain commonly causes a genital type of herpes. Here, the infection is typically transmitted through anal, vaginal, or oral sex, which can cause herpetic sores on the genital area.

Oral Symptoms of Herpes Virus Infection:

• Painful blisters around the lips.

• Cold and itchy sores.

• Pain during eating or swallowing food.

• Difficulty speaking.

• Sore throat (also known as herpes esophagitis).

The cold sores of herpes are quite contagious.

Diagnosis and Management: Diagnosis of the viral infection is usually made through blood tests and viral cultures. It is important to see a doctor if a skin lesion or oral blister is present.

Herpes is usually managed by painkillers and antiviral drugs.

How to Prevent Sore Throat From Oral Sex?

Some of the ways to prevent throat infection include:

• One should practice safe sex by using a condom or a dental dam while doing an oral act. With proper medical advice, individuals have the option to purchase dental dams.

• Avoid sexual intimacy if an individual has sores in the mouth or throat.

• Use of latex or plastic condoms.

• People should wash their genitals with mild soap and water after oral sex.

• People who perform oral sex should wash their face and mouth and brush their teeth and tongue properly.

• Individuals should avoid kissing after involving in oral sex.

• It is essential to drink lots of fluids after having oral sex because it will help to keep the throat moist.

Conclusion

Oral STDs usually do not pose a health risk when present in the throat or mouth, but it is always better to consult a doctor in case of a sore throat. One should always develop a habit of practicing safe sex. The oral STD symptoms resemble those of the common cold or flu symptoms. So, the doctor should perform proper diagnostic procedures to identify the cause of a sore throat. It is important to receive a proper antibiotic course if one has a sore throat.