Oral STDs
STDs are diseases that are transmitted through sexual intercourse, including penile-vaginal, penile-anal, and oral-genital contact. As the practice of oral sex becomes more and more common, oral infection of sexually transmitted diseases is becoming a concern, which increases the risk of sexually transmitted diseases infecting the mouth and spreading to other parts of the body through oral sex. Oral STD screening can usually be done through oral swab samples.
Common types of oral STDs
Common oral STDs are
- Oral herpes
- HPV, causing oral warts
- Chlamydia
- gonorrhea
- nongonococcal bacteria
- syphilis
The following are less common, but the risk of infection cannot be ruled out
- Hepatitis A, B, C
- Other gastrointestinal infections
- HIV (especially if there are wounds in the mouth)
Transmission of oral STDs
The main mode of transmission of oral STDs is contact with body fluids. Body fluids from other persons enter the mouth through oral ulcers or mucous membranes, causing local infection. An infected mouth can also transmit STDs to your partner's genitals, and cause infection.
Oral STD symptoms
Just like the sexual organs, different sexually transmitted diseases will infect the oral cavity and cause different symptoms. Common symptoms of oral STDs include:
- Red, swollen and painful throat
- Oral ulcers
- Lesions or herpes in your mouth
- tonsillitis
- Oral HPV warts
- Redness and white spots
However, most of the time, oral STD infections don't cause obvious symptoms.
Oral Syphilis Infection Symptoms
Primary and secondary syphilis infection in the oral cavity will have different symptoms. Chancre is a common oral lesion caused by primary syphilis. It is usually an independent, painless ulcer, mostly a round or oval polygonal plaque.
Oral mucosal plaques and mucositis are common symptoms of secondary syphilis. They are mostly white patches and can be painful. They are common on the tongue, palate, pharynx, shoulder bodies, lips and cheeks.
Oral gonorrhea infection symptoms
Gonococcal stomatitis
The oral mucosa is congested and red, and there may be ulcers or superficial wounds.
Gonococcal pharyngitis
It is common in people who have oral sex. More than 90% of infected people have no obvious symptoms. The common symptoms are
- Dry throat
- Discomfort, burning, or pain in the throat
Oral HPV (warts) infection symptoms
Oral skin and mucous membrane warts are caused by HPV infection of the oral cavity, which is highly contagious. Mainly caused by low-risk HPV-6 and 11. They commonly occur on the back of the tongue, lips, and throat. They can gradually enlarge or merge into white or flesh-colored cauliflower-like growths.
Oral herpes Infections in or around the mouth (oral herpes or cold sores)
It can be caused by herpes simplex I or II viruses, mostly type I viruses. Common symptoms are:
- Blisters in or around the mouth or lips (cold sores)
- open ulcer
Oral STDs screening
Since the infection is oral, most examinations require taking samples from the mouth or throat for DNA testing of related STDs. The sample selected will be an oral swab sample, and the reporting time will generally be 12-48 hours.
*The urine and swab samples provided by our center can be freely switched. Please contact customer service for more information.
Oral STD Treatment
Different types and severity of STDs require different treatments. Mild cases of cold sores can be treated with ointments prescribed by a doctor to relieve the pain caused by oral blisters and lesions, while more severe cases may require antiviral drugs.
Bacterial oral STD infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and non-gonococcal bacteria, can be treated with targeted antibiotics by your doctor.
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