Syphilis Rash on the Body: Appearance, Diagnosis, Treatment
Everything You Need To Know About Chlamydia
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Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It can affect anyone who is sexually active and may not cause symptoms.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were around 1.8 million cases of chlamydia in the United States in 2018. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the U.S.
Chlamydia often produces no symptoms, but it can lead to fertility problems. However, effective treatment is available.
In this article, we will discuss the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of chlamydia.
Most people with chlamydia do not notice any symptoms. According to research cited by the CDC, only around 10% of males and 5–30% of females experience symptoms.
It is also unclear how long it takes for symptoms to appear, but it may be several weeks.
In femalesIn females, symptoms of chlamydia may include:
If chlamydia spreads to the uterus and the fallopian tubes, it can result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This, too, may not produce symptoms. However, it can affect fertility.
In malesIn males, symptoms may include pain, tenderness, and swelling in the testicles or the urethra, the tube that carries urine.
Males and femalesBoth males and females may develop symptoms in the rectum and anus. The virus can infect these areas during anal sex or by spreading from the reproductive organs.
Symptoms include:
Contact with infected secretions can also lead to chlamydial conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Laboratory tests have found chlamydia in the throat of people who have had oral sex with someone who has the infection. However, this does not usually produce symptoms.
Anyone who has or suspects they have chlamydia must seek treatment to prevent long-term health consequences, including infertility and ectopic pregnancy.
Doctors will typically prescribe antibiotics to treat chlamydia. A person will usually take antibiotics as a pill.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend retesting at least every 3 months after treatment, depending on the individual's risk factors.
AntibioticsExamples of antibiotics for chlamydia include:
Other medication options include erythromycin and amoxicillin. A doctor may prescribe one of these during pregnancy.
Adverse effects can sometimes occur, including:
Doxycycline can sometimes trigger a skin rash if a person spends time in the sun.
In most cases, the side effects will be mild. Anyone who experiences severe adverse effects should contact their healthcare provider. Do not stop taking the medication without first checking with a doctor.
According to one source, a course of antibiotics resolves chlamydia in 95% of cases. However, it is essential to follow the doctor's instructions and complete the whole course of treatment.
Other aspects of treatmentThe CDC recommend that people with chlamydia refrain from sex for 7 days:
If a person has a diagnosis of chlamydia, they should inform any partners they have had sexual contact within the previous 60 days so that they, too, can seek testing and treatment.
If one partner does not receive treatment or does not complete the course of treatment, there is a risk of reinfection or transmitting the virus to someone else.
Sometimes, a doctor may also be treated for gonorrhea because the bacteria that cause the two infections often occur together.
To diagnose chlamydia, a doctor may carry out an examination to look for physical symptoms such as discharge.
They will also take either a urine sample or a swab sample from the penis, cervix, urethra, throat, or rectum.
Chlamydia screeningAs chlamydial infection frequently presents no symptoms, health authorities often recommend screening for some people.
The USPSTF recommend screening for:
A person can test for chlamydia at home or in the lab. They can take either a urine sample or a swab.
A doctor can advise individuals on the best option. They may also recommend rectal or throat testing, especially for people who are living with HIV.
Home screening tests are available, but it is not always easy to do them correctly at home. A healthcare provider will usually recommend following up on any home tests by visiting a doctor's office.
The person will likely need to provide a urine sample for a test to confirm a diagnosis. After treatment, they will need to retake the test to ensure that the treatment has worked.
If anyone wishes to try home testing, chlamydia screening test kits are available for purchase online.
Chlamydia is an infection by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis (C. Trachomatis).
Chlamydia infection can affect several organs, including the penis, vagina, cervix, urethra, anus, eye, and throat. It can cause severe and sometimes permanent damage to the reproductive system.
A person can pass on chlamydia through unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal sex or through genital contact.
As chlamydial infection often has no symptoms, a person may have the infection and pass it on to a sexual partner without knowing.
It is not possible to pass on chlamydia through:
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a mother who has chlamydia infection can pass it on to her baby during childbirth.
Sometimes, the infection leads to complications for the infant, such as eye infections or pneumonia.
A female who has a diagnosis of chlamydia during pregnancy will need a test 3–4 weeks after treatment to ensure the infection has not returned.
Ways of preventing chlamydia or reducing the risk of infection include:
Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the risk of complications.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)This is an infection of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. It can lead to infertility.
According to the CDC, if chlamydia is left untreated, around 10–15% of females will develop PID.
This could lead to:
In some cases, chlamydial PID can lead to an inflammation of the capsule that surrounds the liver. The main symptom is pain in the upper right side of the abdomen.
Pregnancy complicationsThe CDC also indicate that pregnant women who have chlamydia or their baby may experience:
This is an inflammation of the neck of the womb.
SalpingitisThis is an inflammation of the fallopian tubes. It increases the risk of an ectopic pregnancy.
UrethritisThis is an infection of the urethra. The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Chlamydia can inflame the urethra, resulting in pain and difficulty urinating.
Sometimes this occurs alongside conjunctivitis and reactive arthritis, which is a chronic type of inflammatory arthritis.
EpididymitisThis can affect males. It is an inflammation of the epididymis, a structure inside the scrotum.
Signs and symptoms include red, swollen, and warm scrotum, testicle pain, and tenderness.
Chlamydia is a common, sexually-transmitted bacterial infection. It often produces no symptoms, but screening can show if a person needs treatment.
Without treatment, it can lead to complications that may have permanent effects. For this reason, treatment and screening are essential for those who may be at risk.
Oral STDs: What Are The Symptoms?
Oral STDs can present with a range of different symptoms, including unusual discharge, foul odor, and soreness.
Many people don't realize it, but you can contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI) without having vaginal or anal sex. Any skin-to-skin contact with the genitals is enough to contract an STI — or pass one to your partner.
In other words, oral sex using the mouth, lips, or tongue can pose similar risks as other sexual activities. But as with other sexual activities, you can lower the risk of transmission by using a condom or other barrier method for every sexual encounter.
Read on to learn which STIs can be contracted or transmitted through oral sex, symptoms to pay attention to, and how to get tested.
Oral sex describes any sexual act where the mouth, lips, or tongue makes contact with the genital areas or anus. This includes:
STIs are infections transmitted through sexual contact.
It's possible to have an STI without having any symptoms. So, it's always wise to take precautions and use a condom or other barrier method every time you have sex — even if you don't have any symptoms.
How can you get STIs from oral sex?STIs pass through sexual fluids and skin-to-skin contact. When infected genital tissues make contact with the tissues in your mouth and throat, an STI can pass from the genitals to your mouth.
The reverse is also true: If you have an STI in your throat or mouth, it can pass to your partner's genitals if you perform oral sex.
Keep in mind, too, that STIs are not just transmitted through fluids. Many people (falsely) believe that avoiding contact with fluids such as semen prevents STI transmission. But in reality, any sexual contact carries a risk.
What's more, you can have an STI in more than one place at the same time, such as an STI that affects your genitals as well as your throat.
Certain STIs, such as gonorrhea, can also spread in your body. So, in some cases, an STI that mainly affects your genitals could potentially be transmitted if you make oral contact with your partner's genitals.
Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. In the United States, chlamydia is more frequently reported than any other bacterial STI.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while chlamydia can be transmitted through oral sex, it's more likely to be transmitted through anal or vaginal sex.
Chlamydia can affect the:
Most chlamydia affecting the throat causes no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they can include a sore throat. Chlamydia isn't a lifelong condition, and it can be cured with the right antibiotics.
Gonorrhea is a common STI caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The CDC estimates that there are about 1.14 million new cases of gonorrhea each year, with about half affecting people ages 15 to 24.
Both gonorrhea and chlamydia can technically be passed through oral sex. But according to the CDC, the exact risks are difficult to determine. People who have oral sex may also have vaginal or anal sex, which can make it difficult to determine which activity caused the infection.
Gonorrhea can affect the:
Like chlamydia, gonorrhea of the throat often doesn't involve any symptoms. Symptoms that do appear tend to show up about 1 week after exposure and can include a sore throat.
Gonorrhea can be cured with the right antibiotics. However, reports of drug-resistant gonorrhea, in the United States and around the world, have increased.
The CDC recommends retesting if your symptoms do not go away after you've completed the full course of antibiotics.
It's also important for any partners to get tested and treated for any STIs if there's any chance they were exposed.
Syphilis is an STI caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. It is not as common as other STIs.
According to the CDC, there were 133,945 reported new syphilis diagnoses in 2020.
Syphilis can affect the:
Syphilis can be cured with the right antibiotics.
Without treatment, the condition will remain in your body, where it can eventually affect your blood vessels and nervous system. Syphilis can cause serious health complications, including organ damage and significant neurological outcomes.
Syphilis symptoms happen in stages:
The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is one of two types of this common viral STI.
HSV-1 is mainly transmitted through oral-to-oral or oral-to-genital contact. It can cause both oral, genital, and anal herpes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HSV-1 affects an estimated 3.7 billion people under 50 years old around the world.
HSV-1 can affect the:
Symptoms of oral herpes include blisters or sores, also called cold sores. They can appear on the mouth, lips, and throat.
HSV-1 can be transmitted or contracted even when no symptoms are present. HSV-1 is a lifelong condition. It can't be cured, but treatment with antiviral medication can lead to fewer outbreaks and help ease your symptoms.
The herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is transmitted mainly through vaginal or anal sexual intercourse. It can cause oral, genital, or anal herpes. According to the WHO, HSV-2 affects an estimated 491 million people ages 15 to 49 around the world.
Like HSV-1, HSV-2 can be transmitted through oral sex.
The symptoms of oral HSV-2 are much the same as oral HSV-1. You may notice blisters or sores on your mouth, lips, or tongue, though it's possible to have the virus and never experience symptoms.
HSV-2 can be contracted or transmitted even when no symptoms are present. While there's no cure for HSV-2, treatment can help ease your symptoms and lead to fewer herpes outbreaks.
Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can, in some rare cases, lead to serious illnesses such as herpes esophagitis. With this condition, you might have a fever and chills, notice difficulty swallowing or pain with swallowing, and have joint pain or a general unwell feeling.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI in the United States. According to 2017 estimates from the CDC, about 79 million people in the United States currently live with HPV.
HPV can be transmitted or contracted through oral, vaginal, and anal sex. HPV affects the:
In some cases, HPV involves no symptoms.
Certain types of HPV can cause laryngeal or respiratory papillomatosis, which affects the mouth and throat. Symptoms include:
Several other types of HPV affect the mouth and throat but do not cause warts. They may cause head or neck cancer, though.
While HPV has no cure, the majority of HPV transmissions are cleared by the body on its own, without causing further complications. Surgery and other treatments can remove warts of the mouth and throat, but these may return even with treatment.
In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a vaccine for children and young adults ages 11 to 26 to prevent transmission of the most common high risk HPV strains. These are the strains associated with cervical, anal, head, and neck cancers. The vaccine also protects against common strains that cause genital warts.
In 2018, the FDA expanded its approval to adults up to 45 years old.
You do have options for lowering your risk of transmitting or contracting STIs through oral sex.
For example, you can use barriers like condoms during oral sex.
You can use outside condoms for oral sex involving a penis, and dental dams and inside condoms for oral sex involving the vulva or anus.
Before using a barrier, check to make sure the material has no cuts or tears.
Don't have a dental dam?
You can make your own with an inside or outside condom:
Keep in mind, though, that barrier methods can only lower the chances of contracting or transmitting an STI during oral sex. No method can offer total protection.
In addition to using barrier methods, it's a good idea to get tested for STIs regularly. Testing can include oral exams.
For STI screenings, the CDC advises, at minimum:
You can visit your doctor or a health clinic to get screened for HIV and other STIs. Many clinics offer free or low cost testing options.
What you can expect from the test will differ for each condition. The types of tests include:
If you're sexually active, it's a good idea to get regular STI screening.
You may want to get screened right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
You might also want to consider STI screening if:
To get an STI screening, you can book an appointment with your doctor's office, a local clinic, or Planned Parenthood. Some pharmacies also offer STI screening.
Interested in at-home screening? Check out our guide to the seven best options for home test kits.
What STDs can you get from oral sex?A number of STIs can be transmitted through oral sex, including:
The three stages of syphilis each have their own symptoms.
The first stage is also called primary syphilis. Symptoms include painless, round sores, known as chancres, on your genitals, rectum, or mouth. You might not notice this sore, and it may disappear after about 2 to 6 weeks.
Secondary syphilis is the second stage. It's usually characterized by a skin rash on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet. This rash is painless and does not itch.
Other possible symptoms of secondary syphilis include:
Between secondary and tertiary syphilis, the condition has a latent stage. This stage can last for years and involves no signs or symptoms.
The third stage, tertiary syphilis, can occur years or decades after the initial infection. It can affect your nerves, organs, and joints. It can result in:
Antibiotics can cure syphilis if the condition is detected early.
What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?The symptoms of gonorrhea can include:
Gonorrhea often does not involve symptoms, so many people have this STI without knowing it.
It's possible to acquire STIs through any sexual contact, including oral sex.
Wearing a condom or other barrier method — correctly and every time — is the only way to lower the risk of contracting or transmitting an STI. Just keep in mind that barrier methods don't completely remove this risk.
If you're sexually active, regular STI screening is a good option. The sooner you know your status, the earlier you can get treatment.
What Is Pharyngitis?
Pharyngitis is inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the back of the throat, or pharynx. Symptoms of pharyngitis can include discomfort, dryness, and difficulty swallowing.
Pharyngitis is the medical term for a sore throat. Causes of pharyngitis include viral infections, such as common colds, and bacterial infections, such as group A Streptococcus.
Pharyngitis is a common condition and rarely a cause for concern. Viral pharyngitis often clears up on its own within a week or so. However, knowing the cause can help people narrow down their treatment options.
This article looks at the causes, transmission, and symptoms of pharyngitis. We also cover similar conditions, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Viral infections are the most common cause of pharyngitis. Some common viruses that can cause pharyngitis include:
Mononucleosis, or mono, is a contagious viral infection that causes a range of flu-like symptoms. The virus can spread through saliva, so a person can contract it by sharing utensils and cutlery, exposure to coughs and sneezes, or by kissing. Also known as the kissing disease, mononucleosis mostly affects teenagers and young adults, but also affects children.
While less common, bacterial infections can also cause pharyngitis. Group A Streptococcus bacteria is responsible for pharyngitis in children around 20–40 percent of the time. People commonly refer to pharyngitis caused by group A Streptococcus infection as strep throat.
Other bacterial infections that can cause pharyngitis include:
Factors that can increase a person's risk of pharyngitis include:
Both viral and bacterial forms of pharyngitis are contagious. The germs that cause pharyngitis tend to live in the nose and throat.
When a person with the condition coughs or sneezes, they release tiny droplets that contain the virus or bacteria into the air. A person can become infected by:
This is why it is essential for a person to wash their hands before handling food or touching their face.
People usually recover from viral infections, such as the common cold, within 7-10 days. However, due to the viral incubation period, people may be contagious before any symptoms appear.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a person can help prevent spreading strep throat to other people by staying home until they no longer have a fever and have been taking antibiotics for at least 24 hours.
The main symptom of pharyngitis is a sore, dry, or itchy throat. Additional symptoms may appear depending on the type of infection, such as cold or flu symptoms.
Symptoms of viral pharyngitis include:
Pharyngitis associated with mononucleosis can have additional symptoms including:
Symptoms of bacterial pharyngitis may include:
Inflammation of the throat is a common medical issue, and it can result from a variety of causes. Other possible causes can include:
LaryngitisLaryngitis is a condition that causes inflammation in the larynx or voice box. The larynx sits in the front of the throat, above the windpipe, and it contains the vocal cords.
Inflammation of the vocal cords can cause hoarseness of the voice, and some people may even lose their voice temporarily.
People can get laryngitis from straining their vocal cords by yelling or overusing their voice.
Other causes of laryngitis include:
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils. The tonsils are collections of tissue that sit on either side of the pharynx. Tonsillitis is the result of either a viral or bacterial infection. Bacterial tonsillitis can also result from infection with group A Streptococcus bacteria.
Tonsillitis is rarely serious and often clears up on its own or with a short course of oral antibiotics. However, a doctor may recommend surgical removal of a person's tonsils if the condition is long-term or keeps recurring. Recurring tonsillitis may be defined as seven episodes in one year, five episodes in two years, or three episodes in three years. A child's school absences may also be a factor in a medical professional's decision to recommend removal.
If an abscess develops on the tonsils, it could require surgical drainage.
Symptoms of tonsillitis and pharyngitis are similar. Tonsillitis is effectively a subset of pharyngitis. Symptoms of both include:
An ulcer is a pus-filled sore that can form on the throat, mouth, vocal cords, or food pipe. Causes of throat ulcers include:
Symptoms of throat ulcers are similar to pharyngitis. They include:
People with pharyngitis should contact their healthcare provider if they experience any of the following:
Sore throats can result from a variety of underlying medical conditions. While viral infections are the most common cause of pharyngitis, it is still important to correctly diagnose the cause in order to treat the condition successfully.
A doctor will usually begin diagnosing pharyngitis by performing a physical examination. They will review the person's current symptoms and check their throat, ears, and nose for signs of infection.
When an individual has clear signs of a viral infection, the doctor will likely not perform further testing.
If the doctor suspects a bacterial infection, they may order a throat culture to confirm the diagnosis. This involves taking a swab of a person's throat and sending it to a lab for analysis.
The appropriate treatment for pharyngitis varies depending on its underlying cause.
For bacterial infections, a doctor may prescribe a person a course of oral antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or penicillin. The antibiotics help reduce symptoms and prevent complications, such as rheumatic fever.
It is essential to complete the entire course of antibiotics to ensure the infection has cleared and to prevent reinfection.
Viral pharyngitis does not respond to antibiotics and will typically clear up on its own. However, over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help reduce pain and fever.
Home remedies that may help speed up recovery include:
A person can reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting pharyngitis and other infections by:
Pharyngitis is rarely a serious condition and often occurs alongside colds and the flu. Viral pharyngitis typically clears up on its own within a couple of weeks, but bacterial pharyngitis may require a course of antibiotics to prevent complications.
Complications of pharyngitis, such as rheumatic fever, are rare. Anyone with severe, recurring, or persistent symptoms should see a doctor.
Practicing good hygiene and covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing can help prevent getting or spreading the germs that can cause pharyngitis.
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