Can You Get STD from Oral?

by Alfred Caminos | Jan 19, 2025 | Wellness Blog: STD/STI

Looking to get tested? At Home Oral STD Test

can you get std from oral Engaging in oral sex poses a risk of contracting several sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), and syphilis can affect the mouth and throat. However, these infections may also remain 'silent,' particularly in their early stages.

Oral sex involves a person using their mouth, tongue, or lips on the genitals or anus of another person. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that can spread through oral sex may infect various parts of the body, including the mouth, throat, genitals, and rectum. To thoroughly screen for oral STIs, consider an all-in-one full panel STD test that covers the most common oral culprits.

In this article, we explore the answer to the question, “Can you get STD from oral?” by looking at some common sexually transmitted diseases that people can spread through oral sex. We discuss their signs and symptoms, how they are transmitted, and the available testing and treatment options.

1. Chlamydia

Symptoms of Chlamydia

Many individuals with chlamydia show no symptoms at all. When symptoms do develop, they usually appear within 1 to 3 months after exposure but can sometimes take longer to emerge.¹ Chlamydia can sometimes affect the eyes, causing redness, pain, sensitivity to light, and discharge, or the joints, leading to warmth, swelling, redness, and significant discomfort. However, the infection most commonly presents symptoms in the oral, rectal, or genital areas, depending on the site of exposure.

Common Chlamydia Symptoms²

Mouth/Throat
Sore throat: Persistent painful, scratchy, or irritated feeling in the throat
Redness or swelling: Inflamed or irritated throat tissue
Difficulty swallowing: Trouble or pain when swallowing food or liquids
Mouth pain: Swollen and painful gums, along with redness and inflammation in the mouth
Sores: White patches or ulcers on the tongue, palate, or inside the cheeks
Tender neck: Enlarged or tender lymph nodes
Flu-like symptoms: Fever, chills, body ache and/or fatigue³
Silent infection: Oral chlamydia may not present symptoms but you can still spread the infection

Anus
Anal itching or soreness: Discomfort or irritation around the anus
Rectal discharge or bleeding: Unusual discharge or bleeding from the rectum
Painful bowel movements: Experiencing pain during defecation
Pain during anal sex: Increased discomfort during rectal intercourse
Flu-like symptoms: Fever, chills, body ache and/or fatigue
Silent infection: Rectal chlamydia may not show symptoms but you can still transmit the infection

Pelvic/Reproductive
Pelvic pain: Discomfort or ache in the lower abdomen or pelvis
Pain or burning during urination: Stinging sensation while urinating
Itching sensation in urethra: Uncomfortable irritation in the urethral opening
Discharge from the vagina or penis: Unusual fluid coming from the genitals
Vaginal bleeding between periods: Bleeding or spotting, often after vaginal intercourse
Testicular pain or swelling: Discomfort or enlargement in typically in one of the testicles
Flu-like symptoms: Fever, chills, body ache and/or fatigue
Silent infection: Genital chlamydia may not show symptoms but you can still transmit the infection

Transmission

Chlamydia can be transmitted to the mouth or throat through oral sex with a partner who has a genital or rectal infection. Similarly, receiving oral sex from a partner with a mouth or throat infection can also result in transmission. It’s possible to have an infection in multiple areas simultaneously, such as the throat, genitals, or rectum. Regular testing, including specialized at-home STD throat swab tests, at home anal STD tests, and at home urine test for STDs, helps ensure early detection and proper treatment.

Can You Get Chlamydia From Oral Sex?

Yes, chlamydia can be transmitted through oral sex if one partner is infected. This STI spreads through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex and can affect the genitals, rectum, throat, or even the eyes. It can also be transmitted by sharing unwashed sex toys or those not covered with a fresh condom for each use. Practicing safe sex and regular testing can help reduce the risk.⁴

Can You Get Chlamydia From Kissing?

Although it is possible, contracting chlamydia through kissing alone is highly unlikely. An oral chlamydia infection typically requires direct contact through oral sex with infected genital or anal areas for transmission. However, chlamydia can be transmitted through kissing if infected genital fluids are present in the mouth and passed to a partner.⁵

How To Test for Chlamydia

Testing for chlamydia can be done easily at home using specialized test kits from 4uHealth. Available tests for chlamydia include:

Treatment

Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider. It is crucial to complete the full prescribed regimen, typically lasting 1 week, to ensure the infection is fully eliminated.⁶ Testing for a cure is recommended at least 2 weeks after treatment to allow your body enough time to clear the infection. For the most accurate results, many healthcare providers recommend retesting after 2 months to confirm the infection has been cleared and to rule out reinfection.⁷

2. Gonorrhea

Symptoms of Gonorrhea

Many individuals with gonorrhea experience no symptoms at all. When symptoms do develop, they typically emerge within 1 to 14 days after exposure, although in some instances, they may not appear until several weeks later. Although gonorrhea can affect the eyes—causing pain, sensitivity to light, and pus-like discharge—or the joints, leading to warmth, redness, swelling, and severe pain, it most commonly causes symptoms in the oral, rectal, or genital areas, depending on the site of infection.

Common Gonorrhea Symptoms⁸

Mouth/Throat
Sore throat: Persistent painful, scratchy or burning feeling in the throat
Redness or swelling: Inflammation or irritation in the throat area
Difficulty swallowing: Trouble or pain when swallowing food or liquids
Spots on the tonsils or throat: White or yellowish patches on the tonsils or throat lining
Tender neck: Enlarged or tender lymph nodes
Flu-like symptoms: Fever, chills, body ache and/or fatigue⁹
Silent infection: Oral gonorrhea may not show symptoms but you can still transmit the infection

Anus
Anal itching or soreness: Discomfort or irritation around the anus
Rectal discharge or bleeding: Unusual discharge or bleeding from the rectum
Painful bowel movements: Experiencing pain during defecation
Pain during anal sex: Increased discomfort during rectal intercourse
Flu-like symptoms: Fever, chills, body ache and/or fatigue
Silent infection: Rectal gonorrhea may not show symptoms but you can still transmit the infection

Pelvic/Reproductive
Pelvic pain: Discomfort or ache in the lower abdomen or pelvis
Pain or burning during urination: Stinging sensation while urinating
Itching sensation in urethra: Uncomfortable irritation in the urethral opening
Discharge from the vagina or penis: Unusual fluid coming from the genitals
Vaginal bleeding between periods: Bleeding or spotting, often after vaginal intercourse
Testicular pain or swelling: Discomfort or enlargement in typically in one of the testicles
Flu-like symptoms: Fever, chills, body ache and/or fatigue
Silent infection: Genital gonorrhea may not show symptoms but you can still transmit the infection

Transmission

Gonorrhea can be transmitted to the mouth or throat through oral sex with a partner who has a genital or rectal infection. Similarly, receiving oral sex from a partner with a mouth or throat infection can also result in transmission. It’s possible to have an infection in multiple areas simultaneously, such as the throat, genitals, or rectum. Regular testing, including specialized throat swab STD tests, anal STD tests, and STD urine tests, helps ensure early detection and proper treatment.

Can You Get Gonorrhea From Oral Sex?

Yes, gonorrhea can be passed on through oral sex if one partner is infected. This sexually transmitted infection (STI) can be spread via unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex and may impact the genitals, rectum, throat, or eyes. It can also be transmitted when sharing sex toys that haven’t been cleaned or covered with a new condom before each use. Using protection and getting tested regularly can help reduce the risk.¹⁰

Can You Get Gonorrhea From Kissing?

Yes, recent research indicates that gonorrhea can be transmitted through kissing. Studies have identified tongue kissing as a potential risk factor for oropharyngeal gonorrhea, though further research is needed to determine its prevalence.¹¹

How To Test for Gonorrhea

Testing for gonorrhea can be done at home with an at-home test kit from 4U Health. You can test for oral gonorrhea, rectal gonorrhea, genital gonorrhea or all 3 sites in one combo kit.

Treatment

Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider. It is essential to complete the entire prescribed regimen to fully eliminate the infection. Testing for a cure is recommended at least 2 weeks after treatment to ensure your body has had enough time to clear the infection. For the most accurate negative results, the CDC advises retesting at 3 months to confirm the infection has been cleared and to rule out reinfection.¹²

3. Herpes

Symptoms of Herpes

Many individuals with herpes may not show any symptoms at all, or symptoms can be mild and go unnoticed. When symptoms do appear, they usually show up within 2 to 12 days after exposure.¹³ Herpes commonly causes sores or blisters, particularly in the genital area, though it can also affect the mouth, anus, and eyes. Some people may experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes during an outbreak.

Common Herpes Symptoms¹⁴

Mouth
Cold sores: Painful blisters or sores around the lips or inside the mouth
Itching or burning: Sensation around the mouth or lips before sores appear

Anus/Buttocks
Anal sores or blisters: Painful lesions in the anal region
Itching or burning sensation: Irritation around the anus before sores appear
Discomfort during bowel movements: Pain or irritation when using the restroom

Pelvic/Reproductive
Genital sores or blisters: Painful lesions on or around the genital area
Itching or burning: Sensation in the genital region before sores appear
Painful urination: Discomfort or burning sensation when urinating
Discomfort during sex: Pain during sexual intercourse due to sores

Transmission

Genital herpes (HSV-2) is typically transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected area, most often during sexual activities, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Herpes can be transmitted even when sores are not visible, and individuals may be contagious during an outbreak or in the period before or after an outbreak when symptoms are mild or absent.

Oral herpes (HSV-1) spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact and exposure to infected sores or saliva. The highest risk of transmission occurs through kissing or direct contact with the saliva or sores of an infected individual.¹⁵

HSV-1 is typically associated with oral herpes (cold sores), while HSV-2 is usually linked to genital herpes. However, both can be transmitted to different parts of the body through oral sex. As a result, HSV-2 can cause cold sores, and HSV-1 can lead to genital herpes outbreaks.¹⁶

Can You Get Herpes From Oral Sex?

Yes, herpes can be transmitted through oral sex if one partner has the infection.¹⁷ You can also get herpes from vaginal and anal sex, or through contact with:

A herpes sore
Saliva from a partner with oral herpes
Genital fluids from a partner with genital herpes
Skin in the oral area of a partner with oral herpes
Skin in the genital area of a partner with genital herpes

Be aware that oral herpes, typically caused by HSV-1, can be transmitted from the mouth to the genitals through oral sex. This is why HSV-1 is sometimes responsible for cases of genital herpes.¹⁸

Can You Get Herpes From Kissing?

Yes, herpes (HSV-1) can be transmitted through kissing, particularly when cold sores or blisters are present around the mouth. The virus can also spread even without visible sores, so it’s important to avoid kissing during both the early and late stages of an HSV-1 outbreak, when symptoms may be mild or unnoticed. While oral herpes (HSV-1) is typically spread through kissing, genital herpes (HSV-2) is most commonly transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact. However, genital herpes (HSV-2), which is typically localized to the pelvic area, cannot be transmitted through kissing.¹⁹

How To Test for Herpes

Testing for herpes can be done through blood tests or swabs from an active outbreak. An at-home test kit from 4U-Health provides an option to test for genital herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) and detect the infection early.

At Home Herpes Test
Herpes STD Test Panel

Treatment

Herpes has no cure, but antiviral medications prescribed by a healthcare provider can help manage symptoms and reduce outbreaks. It is important to follow the prescribed treatment plan to minimize symptoms and prevent transmission to others. Although antiviral treatment can reduce outbreaks, regular checkups are essential to ensure the virus is managed effectively.²⁰

4. Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Symptoms of HPV

Most individuals with HPV do not experience any symptoms. In fact, the virus can remain dormant in the body for years without causing noticeable signs.²¹ However, some strains of HPV can cause visible warts, which may appear on the genital, anal, oral, face or limb areas of the body. Other high-risk strains of HPV can lead to more serious conditions, such as cancer. Although most HPV infections do not result in cancer, certain types of genital HPV can cause cancer of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Other cancers, including those of the anus, penis, vagina, vulva, and the back of the throat (oropharyngeal), have also been associated with HPV infection.²² This is why HPV types are typically classified as “non-oncogenic” (wart-causing) or “oncogenic” (cancer-causing), depending on whether they increase the risk of cancer.

Transmission

HPV is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact, including oral sex, vaginal sex, and anal sex. Even individuals without visible warts or symptoms can transmit the infection.²³ Using barrier methods, such as condoms or dental dams, during oral sex can reduce the risk of transmission. Regular testing and vaccination can help manage the risks associated with HPV.

Can You Get HPV From Oral Sex?

Yes, HPV can be transmitted through oral sex. High-risk strains of HPV can lead to cancers in the throat or mouth, while low-risk strains can cause warts. Practicing safe sex and getting the HPV vaccine can reduce the risk of infection.²⁴

Can You Get HPV From Kissing?

HPV can be transmitted through intimate kissing. However, casual kissing between a parent and child is not thought to transmit HPV.²⁵ HPV is more commonly spread through oral, anal, and vaginal sex.

How To Test for HPV

HPV testing is available for individuals with symptoms or those at risk of developing related complications. The HPV test typically looks for evidence of 14 high-risk strains of the virus known to cause cancer in women. This test can be done at home using a self-collected vaginal swab sample provided by 4U Health, also known as 4U Labs.

Treatment

There is no cure for HPV itself, but treatments are available for symptoms, such as warts or precancerous changes. Genital warts can be removed through various methods, including topical treatments, cryotherapy, or surgical removal. For women, regular Pap smears are essential to detect early changes in the cervix caused by high-risk HPV. However, most high-risk HPV infections do not cause problems and are cleared by the body within two years.²⁶

5. Syphilis

Symptoms of Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that progresses in stages. The first stage typically begins 2–12 weeks after exposure with a painless ulcer or sore (called a chancre) at the site of infection. This initial stage lasts 3 to 6 weeks and the chancre typically heals on its own, even without treatment. However, if left untreated, syphilis can advance to more serious stages, leading to symptoms like rashes, fever, and potentially severe damage to organs such as the heart and brain.²⁷

Primary Syphilis Stage²⁸

During the primary stage of syphilis, you may observe one or more sores at the site where the bacteria entered your body. These sores typically appear on, around, or in the affected area:

Penis
Vagina
Anus or rectum
Lips or in the mouth

Secondary Syphilis Stage

During the secondary stage, you may experience skin rashes and/or sores in areas such as the mouth, vagina, or anus. This stage typically begins with a rash appearing on one or more parts of your body. The rash may develop while the primary sore is healing or several weeks after it has healed. It can appear on the palms of your hands and/or the soles of your feet and may look rough, red or reddish-brown. The rash typically does not cause itching, and it may be so mild that it goes unnoticed. Additional symptoms that may occur include:

Fever
Swollen lymph nodes
Sore throat
Patchy hair loss
Headaches
Unexplained weight loss
Muscle pain
Fatigue (feeling unusually tired)

The symptoms of this stage will likely resolve on their own, even without treatment. However, without proper treatment, the infection may progress to the latent and potentially tertiary stages of syphilis.

Latent Syphilis Stage

The latent stage of syphilis is characterized by the absence of noticeable symptoms. If left untreated, the infection can remain in your body for years.

Tertiary Syphilis Stage

Although most individuals with untreated syphilis do not progress to tertiary syphilis, it can occur and impact various organ systems, including the heart, blood vessels, brain, and nervous system. Tertiary syphilis is a severe condition that may develop 15 to 49 years after the initial infection.²⁹ It causes damage to internal organs and can be fatal. A healthcare provider can typically diagnose tertiary syphilis through a combination of tests.

Transmission

Syphilis is primarily transmitted through direct contact with a syphilis sore, which can appear on the genitals, anus, or mouth. This can occur during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It is highly contagious during the primary and secondary stages, but can also be transmitted during latent syphilis if sores are present.³⁰

Can You Get Syphilis From Oral Sex?

Yes, syphilis can be spread by giving or receiving oral sex if one partner has a sore in or around the mouth or genital area. These sores can easily transmit the bacteria that cause syphilis.³¹

Can You Get Syphilis From Kissing?

If one person has a syphilis sore on their lips or inside the mouth, it is possible to get syphilis through kissing. Close contact with an infected sore can lead to transmission.³²

How To Test for Syphilis

Syphilis testing is typically done through a blood test or a swab of a syphilis sore. Regular testing is recommended for individuals at high risk or those engaging in unprotected sex. You can screen for syphilis at home using a self-collected finger-prick kit provided by 4U Health, also known as LabTest 4U.

At Home Syphilis Test, Syphilis Blood Test
Syphilis Test + At Home STD STI Test Panel

Treatment

Syphilis is treated with antibiotics, typically penicillin.³³ It is crucial to complete the full course of antibiotics to fully eradicate the infection. After treatment, retesting is recommended to ensure the infection is gone and to monitor for reinfection.

Conclusion Can you get STD from oral?

Now you know the answer to “Can you get an STD from oral?”—yes! Practicing safe sex, including the use of barriers like condoms or dental dams during oral sex, is essential to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading sexually transmitted diseases. Regular testing is also crucial, especially if you are sexually active with multiple partners or unsure of a partner’s STI status. For a convenient and private way to monitor your sexual health, consider at home STD tests. Early detection and treatment can help manage infections effectively and protect your overall health.