Archives for August 2021

If you think you have an oral STD, you’re probably pretty worried and have spent a lot of time Googling “STD in mouth” and looking at all the pictures, which made you feel even worse.

First, stop Googling and take a deep breath. You will get through this. The next step is to take action by getting an STD test. Here at Rapid STD Testing, we can help. We offer fast, safe, and confidential STD testing to help you determine if you need treatment. 

You can choose from a full range of same-day testing panels and get an accurate diagnosis within one to three days. Take back control of your sexual health and order an STD test today.

Common Oral STD Types

There are many types of oral and genital STDs. Some are more common than others, but the signs and symptoms of STDs of the mouth tend to be similar. Common oral STD symptoms include:

• Redness or swelling inside the mouth
• White spots on the throat or tongue
• Swollen tonsils 
• Sore throat
• Burning sensation in the throat
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Sores inside the mouth
• Difficulty when swallowing
• Lesions or fever blisters around the mouth

1. Chlamydia

You can contract chlamydia orally or in your throat if you perform oral sex on another person infected with this STD. 

What Are the Physical Signs and Symptoms of Oral Chlamydia?

Unfortunately, if you contract this STD orally, you might not have any symptoms. If you do show symptoms, you may think it’s something else at first, like tonsillitis. The signs may present as difficulty swallowing, chlamydia bumps on the tongue, or even white spots in the back of the throat. However, this sore throat STD rarely shows any signs or symptoms beyond just that: a sore throat.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), chlamydia is the most commonly reported bacterial STD in the United States. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to unknowingly transmit the chlamydia bacteria to your mouth if it’s present on your fingers or another body part. However, you can cure this infection quickly with an antibiotic regimen.

2. Gonorrhea

If you’re sexually active, gonorrhea is another common STD you can contract by vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You’re at risk for contracting this STD if your mouth, skin, or tissues come into contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.

Gonorrhea in your mouth typically presents symptoms about a week after infection, if they present at all. Some may have a sore throat or experience pain and a burning sensation in their throat. Other symptoms include bright red spots in the back of the throat and swollen lymph nodes.

The symptoms of oral gonorrhea are similar to strep throat. While getting an STD test is the best way to tell the two apart, one distinct difference is that strep often causes white spots in the mouth or throat. Gonorrhea more commonly causes inflammation with red spots.

3. Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is an infection caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. It’s another common STD that doesn’t always show symptoms. According to statistics by the CDC, about 70% of people never show symptoms at all. That’s why it’s crucial to get a test, even if you’re not showing any signs of trichomoniasis. It’s especially important if you’re female since this STD affects women more than men.

With or without symptoms, you can still pass trichomoniasis to other people you have sexual encounters with, including oral sex. If you’re one of the 30% of people who develop symptoms, they may range from minor irritation (like discharge) up to severe inflammation that can make it painful to have sex. The most common treatment for trichomoniasis is an oral prescription called Metronidazole.

4. Syphilis

Syphilis is one of the more dangerous STDs, but only if it’s left untreated. If you come into direct contact during sexual activity with an infected sore (called a chancre), you can contract syphilis. These sores occur on the genitals, anus, or mouth. You can also contract syphilis in the mouth by performing oral sex on an infected person.

Syphilis will show symptoms anywhere from 10 to 90 days after contact, but it develops in three different stages, which can last for years if untreated. The most common symptom of oral syphilis is small, circular, and painless chancres that form in or around your mouth. You can quickly and easily treat syphilis mouth with a penicillin injection. If you think you have syphilis, you can get our same-day STD testing. You’ll need your results as soon as possible to start treatment quickly.

5. Herpes: HSV-1 and HSV-2

The two different types of the herpes simplex virus are HSV-1 and HSV-2. Unfortunately, if you contract herpes, you’ll have it for life. That may sound scary, but you can easily control herpes by taking antivirals. This treatment prevents outbreaks and drastically reduces the chance of transmission to your partner.

Herpes Simplex Virus 1

HSV-1 causes painful oral sores, commonly known as a cold sore or fever blister. Oral herpes is very common—according to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 4 billion people in the world carry it. HSV-1 spreads by kissing or having oral sex (performing or receiving) with an infected person. 

The symptoms of HSV-1 include developing cold sores around the mouth or lips about four days after exposure. You can treat the sores temporarily with over-the-counter medication, but antivirals are necessary for long-term management.

Herpes Simplex Virus 2

HSV-2, also known as genital herpes, is another prevalent STD. You can contract genital herpes by having unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex with an infected person, even if they’re not having an active outbreak.

If you want to get tested for herpes, you can order the panel from us online and then come into one of our convenient locations the same day to take the test. If the test is positive, we’ll direct you to a clinic or doctor where you can get the antiviral prescription you need to live a normal life with no outbreaks.

6. HPV: Human Papillomavirus

HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that occurs on the genitals or mouth. There are over 40 different subtypes of oral HPV. Certain subtypes can even lead to mouth or throat cancer. Some subtypes don’t show symptoms, and others cause lesions or warts that grow in the mouth and, more commonly, on the tongue. These STD bumps on the tongue are generally painless and non-cancerous, though.

HPV is extremely common. Most people will contract it at some point in their lifetime. You can get HPV through direct skin contact with bodily fluids, including during sexual intercourse, oral sex, or mouth-to-mouth contact. 

For example, if you perform oral sex on somebody infected with HPV, you can contract it in your throat or mouth, especially if you have an open cut or canker sore. Currently, the only treatment for HPV is the vaccine.

7. Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a virus categorized into three types: A, B, and C. You can contract hepatitis A through direct oral contact with stool from somebody who has the virus. That type of infection can occur through oral sex or when people don’t wash their hands after using the bathroom and then touch other people’s food.

Hepatitis B is present in bodily fluids and blood, which are the two primary ways it spreads between people. That means that you can contract hepatitis B by sharing needles or having oral sex with an infected person. 

Hepatitis C spreads through contact with an infected person’s blood, but it is possible (though unlikely) to get it by having unprotected sexual intercourse or oral sex. General symptoms of hepatitis A, B, and C include fatigue, joint pain, nausea, jaundice, and chronic stomach pain.

8. HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus

If you have unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has HIV, you’re at a high risk of contracting the virus. Treatment options for HIV have advanced considerably. Many people successfully manage this virus with antivirals or other medications that can also help prevent spreading the virus to their partners. 

Symptoms of HIV include night sweats, muscle aches, fever, chronic illness, lesions, swollen lymph nodes, and a sore throat.

HIV.gov estimates that around 1.2 million people in the United States have HIV, and the scary part is that 13% of them don’t even realize it. Even if you aren’t showing symptoms of HIV, please get tested regularly. Here at Rapid STD Testing, you can order a full 10-panel STD test (including HIV) to get the answers you need to be in full control of your sexual health.

9. Epstein Barr Virus

You may have never heard of Epstein Barr virus (EBV), but it’s actually part of the herpesvirus family. You can contract EBV through direct exposure to the bodily fluids of an infected person, including saliva. That means that you can catch EBV through oral sex, traditional intercourse, even kissing or sharing a drink.

EBV causes infectious mononucleosis, also known as the kissing disease. EBV also causes oral hairy leukoplakia, which are hard white patches that grow on the tongue. Typically, symptoms will show up anywhere from four to six weeks after exposure. If you are showing any of these symptoms, you should get an STD test immediately.

How To Get Tested for STDs In Your Mouth

If you’re ready for a rapid STD test to check if you have an oral STD, we can help. You can easily order a test panel right here on our website. Our testing is confidential, which is why we don’t take insurance. If you do choose to file an insurance claim for a positive STD test, you can. However, your results will go on your permanent medical records, and you’ll probably face an increase in your monthly premium.

After you order the STD testing panel you want, you can head to one of our convenient testing locations that same day or the next day, whenever is easiest for you. Once you get there, we’ll ask you for an oral swab or urine sample. We don’t ask for genital swabs, but you wouldn’t have to give this type of specimen anyway if you’re only getting an oral STD test.

After you provide a specimen, your results will be available to you on our secure and confidential online server in one to three days. Just log on, and you can view your results in the privacy of your own home. No need to wait for them to come in the mail!  

How Long Does It Take for an STD to Show Up in Your Mouth?

After exposure, the time it takes for an STD to show up in your mouth depends on the incubation period of the specific STD, which is how long it takes for your body to recognize the disease. Most people don’t show symptoms at all during this period, which is why it’s crucial to get an STD test even if you’re asymptomatic. You could still have an oral STD and not have symptoms yet.

For example, some STDs have an incubation period of one day, like gonorrhea, and some can take up to 10 years, like HPV. However, most oral STDs have an incubation period of a few days to a few weeks.

Treatment for Oral STDs

The treatments available for oral STDs vary on the type of STD. Infections usually require antibiotics and viruses require antivirals. Here’s a rundown of the basic treatment methods for STDs in the mouth:

Antibiotic Treatments

Gonorrhea is a bacterium, so the standard treatment is a round of antibiotics. Unfortunately, there have been more and more strains in recent years that are antibiotic-resistant. If you receive treatment for oral gonorrhea and you’re still experiencing symptoms, you need to see your doctor again for more antibiotics.

Oral chlamydia and syphilis are also bacterial infections that require antibiotics. The standard treatment for chlamydia is oral antibiotics, whereas syphilis usually requires a penicillin injection. It’s also important to remember that if you’re undergoing bacterial treatments for these STDs, you should refrain from sex during your treatment regimen, or you could risk passing the STD to your partner.

Antiviral Treatments

If you test positive for an oral STD that’s a virus, such as herpes or Epstein Barr virus, the standard treatment is antivirals. Treatment may also include topical anesthetics to help with pain (if necessary) or a mouth rinse to help relieve symptoms from sores or cankers.

For example, doctors usually treat HSV-1 with a topical medication to reduce pain from cold sores, which helps your body rest and recover while you take antivirals. The most common prescription for herpes is Valacyclovir, which you can take daily as preventative medicine or as needed during outbreaks. Taking antivirals can also help prevent transmission to future partners.

Get an STD Test So You Can Receive Treatment Right Away

If you come to one of the Rapid STD Testing locations and you end up with positive results, you don’t need to panic. We only provide testing, not treatment, but our expert consultants will refer you to a different clinic where you can receive treatment, or you can use your primary doctor. 

However, it’s important to remember that the first step to successful treatment is getting tested, which you should do at least every six months or if you ever show symptoms.

Preventing Oral STDs

There are three main methods for protecting your oral health and preventing STDs in the mouth: communication, protection, and good oral hygiene. 

First, it’s essential to be open with your partner and communicate. Ask them if they’ve ever had an STD, if they’re currently showing symptoms, or if they’ve ever had an STD test. After your conversation, you can both get tested here together if that’s what you decide.

The second part of preventing oral STDs is using protection every single time. It only takes one unprotected event to contract an STD, which is why you need to use a condom or a dental dam every time you have oral sex or sexual intercourse. You can create a dental dam on the fly by cutting the ends off a condom and then cutting it lengthwise, so you’re left with one large square.

The third component is good oral hygiene. If you have gum disease, your risk of contracting an oral STD is much higher. You’re also at a higher risk of contracting an STD in your mouth if you have a cut, canker, or an open sore, which presents a way for bacteria or a virus to enter your body. Practice good oral health and get on a regular testing schedule for STDs so you can stay safe and healthy.

Take an STD Test Today and Gain Control of Your Sexual Health

If you think you have an STD in the mouth, you can take charge of your oral and sexual health today by getting an STD test. Order your STD testing panel and get tested to keep your sex life happy and healthy.

According to the World Health Organization, sexual partners transmit over 1 million STIs daily. 

You may know that an STI can spread through vaginal or anal sex, but can you get an STD from oral sex? The answer is yes. While most sexually active adults engage in oral sex, many are still unaware that it can spread STIs. 

In this article, we’ll outline what oral sex is and how safe it is. We’ll also look at the main STIs transmitted by oral sex, such as HPV, herpes, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Finally, we’ll discuss the steps you can take to stay safe while enjoying an active sex life. 

At Rapid STD Testing, we’re committed to educating our community on how to avoid STIs and how to practice safe sex. If you’re worried that you’ve contracted an STI, we’re here to help. Our Rapid STD Test includes same-day results for peace of mind. Your sexual health and wellbeing are always our number one priority. 

What is Oral Sex? 

Oral sex is when one person stimulates another person’s genitals or anus with their mouth, lips, or tongue. Three main terms describe these different types of oral sex.

1 .Fellatio is oral sex that stimulates a penis.

2 .Cunnilingus describes oral sex performed on a woman’s genitals.  

3 .Anilingus is when oral sex stimulates the anus. 

While it’s very common for sexually active adults to engage in oral sex, it can also carry certain risks. 

If you are in a monogamous relationship and both you and your partner have tested negative for STIs, then oral sex is very safe. However, if you have multiple sexual partners who are not being tested regularly, you’re at risk for contracting an STI from oral sex. 

Some STIs, such as chlamydia and HPV, can have no detectable symptoms. Unfortunately, they can still have serious health complications for both men and women.

How Safe is Oral Sex Compared to Vaginal Sex? 

When some people think of STIs, they think they are infections spread through vaginal sex alone. While certain sexually transmitted diseases transmit more readily through vaginal or anal sex, many STIs also spread through oral sex. 

It’s essential for everyone to understand that oral sex does not equal safe sex. When it comes to HIV, you are much less likely to contract it from unprotected oral sex than you are from unprotected vaginal sex. However, the risk of infection from any STI increases in certain circumstances, including:

• The partner performing oral sex has an open cut or sore in their mouth.
• The receiving partner has other STIs. 
• The receiving partner ejaculates in the performing partner’s mouth.

Apart from HIV, most other STIs spread just as readily through oral sex as through vaginal sex.

Can You Get Chlamydia from Oral Sex?

Chlamydia spreads more easily through vaginal and anal sex, but you can still get it from oral sex. While you can spread or contract chlamydia through cunnilingus and anilingus, it is more likely that you’ll contract oral chlamydia from performing or receiving fellatio. 

Complications from Oral Chlamydia

Oral chlamydia can appear as a mouth or throat infection after oral sex with an infected partner. Oral chlamydia is most often symptomless, but the main symptom is a sore throat.  

If left untreated, you can spread your oral chlamydia to future sexual partners when you perform oral sex on them. Your partners can then develop genital chlamydia, which leads to infertility or pelvic inflammatory disease in women and epididymitis in men. Epididymitis refers to inflammation in the testicles, which doctors treat with antibiotics.

Oral STI Types and Complications 

At Rapid STD Testing, we understand that many people have significant gaps in their knowledge regarding oral STIs.

Can you get an STD from oral sex? We know that you can, but what specific STDs can you get? And what are the signs of STDs in your mouth? Let’s look at each specific STD to learn more. 

Gonorrhea 

Gonorrhea is known colloquially as the clap, and it’s a common STI that affects about 2.2% of the general population and nearly 6.5% of gay and bisexual men. You can contract the clap from any kind of oral sex, even if a male partner doesn’t ejaculate. 

You can get gonorrhea in the throat if you perform cunnilingus or fellatio. If a partner has oral gonorrhea, they can also spread it by giving oral sex to another partner. This can lead to genital gonorrhea in the receiving partner.

In most cases, oral gonorrhea is symptomless, but it can cause an initial sore throat. Symptoms of genital gonorrhea are more severe and can include:

• Discharge from the penis or anus
• Bloody discharge from the vagina
• Sore and swollen testicles
• Pain when urinating

If you have untreated oral gonorrhea, it can cause disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI). DGI first appears as a rash and joint pain, but it can become life-threatening as it spreads to the heart. 

Genital gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women, premature birth in pregnant women, and epididymitis in men. 

Gonorrhea is typically easy to treat with a course of antibiotics. Unfortunately, gonorrhea is quickly developing drug resistance, so your doctor might have to use several different treatments. 

Genital Herpes 

You have a very high risk of developing herpes on your mouth, lips, or throat if you give oral sex to a partner who has herpes on their genitals or anus. If you receive oral sex from a partner with oral herpes, you can also contract genital herpes. 

Herpes causes painful or itchy sores at the site of infection. Signs of an initial infection include a fever or headache, but these symptoms fade quickly. 

The symptoms of genital and oral herpes typically come and go, with outbreaks usually happening when you are sick or under stress. While there is no cure for herpes, your doctor can give you antiviral medicine to shorten an attack. 

Even if you take antiviral medicine for a herpes outbreak, you can still spread herpes to sexual partners. The virus is still active even when you aren’t experiencing an outbreak. Herpes also spreads via skin contact, so condoms and dental dams are not 100% effective at preventing the virus from spreading. 

Syphilis 

Can you get an STD from oral sex? Yes, syphilis transmits incredibly easily through oral sex, but the risk of contracting it is relatively low. If you perform or receive oral sex, you have about a 1% chance of contracting the infection. 

The initial symptoms of syphilis are easy to miss, if you have any symptoms at all. Most people don’t detect the painless ulcers that develop on the site of infections. Unfortunately, the long-term effects of syphilis are serious. 

Syphilis can cause organ damage, blindness, dementia, and eventually death if left untreated. It can also lead to stillbirth in pregnant women. Luckily, syphilis is treatable with antibiotics. 

HPV 

The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a very common STI that spreads readily through oral sex. The main symptom of HPV is the development of warts at the site of infection, although many people experience no symptoms. 

People with HPV in their mouth or throats are at a higher risk of developing mouth and throat cancer. Genital HPV can also develop into cancer, even if no warts are present.  

There is no cure for HPV, but your doctor may use cryotherapy and surgery to remove warts. If you have HPV, you should also schedule regular screenings for cancer cells. 

While there is no cure, there is an effective HPV vaccine. Girls and boys aged 11 or 12 can receive the vaccine, and unvaccinated adults as old as 26 should also get it. 

Less Frequent STI Types 

Gonorrhea, genital herpes, syphilis, and HPV are the most common types of STIs you can contract through oral sex. Still, there are other infections to keep in mind. Oral chlamydia, HIV, and genital warts are less common STIs with serious consequences. 

Oral Chlamydia 

Most oral chlamydia patients contract the infection from performing fellatio. Your chance of contracting chlamydia from oral sex is relatively low, but it is still possible. Condoms and dental dams are very effective, and they can lower that chance even more. 

The main symptom of oral chlamydia is a sore throat, but there are usually no symptoms. When left untreated, oral chlamydia can spread to other partners, and it can cause arthritis and premature birth for pregnant women. 

Because oral chlamydia is often symptomless, Rapid STD Testing recommends sexually active adults get tested regularly. 

HIV 

In general, oral sex is a low-risk activity for contracting HIV, but it is still possible. 

You are most at risk for contracting HIV from oral sex if you have an open cut or sore in your mouth and your partner ejaculates in your mouth. Using condoms and dental dams during oral sex lowers your risk even more. 

Many people who develop HIV go years without symptoms. Even if the flu-like symptoms are present, they can be difficult to identify as HIV. There is no cure for HIV, but treatment options are available. 

HIV-positive people take antiviral medicine that successfully extends their life and lowers their risk of developing severe infections. Even with treatment, people with HIV have a high risk of developing cancer and serious illness. 

Genital Warts 

While genital warts originate from a strain of HPV, they are not the same as HPV. The human papillomavirus can cause cells to mutate and eventually develop into cancer. HPV strains that cause genital warts do not develop into cancer and are considered relatively low-risk.

Genital warts are usually small and flesh-colored. They can develop on the vagina, anus, penis, or testicles and are painless. You can treat genital warts at home with creams. Doctors usually treat genital warts by freezing them off, burning them off, or surgically removing them.

Factors that Can Affect the Chances of Getting STD from Oral Sex 

When it comes to getting an STD from oral sex, there are many factors at play. Of course, visiting a Rapid STD Testing clinic with your partner for same-day std testing is the most sure-fire way to avoid getting or passing on an STD. 

Performing oral sex with open sores or cuts in your mouth, having your partner ejaculate in your mouth, and not using condoms or dental dams can all increase your risk of contracting an STD from oral sex. 

While saliva does not contain STDs, many diseases transmit through skin-to-skin contact or bodily fluids like semen and vaginal fluids. 

STDs that spread through skin-to-skin contact include genital herpes, syphilis, and HPV. These infections transmit readily through oral sex, and they can spread even if you use a condom or dental dam. 

Gonorrhea, oral chlamydia, and HIV spread through bodily fluids, so using protection can substantially lower your risk of infection. Your risk is even lower if your partner doesn’t ejaculate in your mouth and if you make sure that you don’t have open cuts or sores. 

Best Practices for Safe Oral Sex 

To protect yourself from STIs and retain good oral health, you should always practice safe oral sex with every sexual partner. 

Get Tested 

If you’re sexually active, you should get tested regularly for STIs. Visit a Rapid STD Testing clinic to get a quick and effective 10-panel STD test. Protect yourself and your partners by making sure you’re clear of the most common STDs.  

Practice Safe Sex

Use condoms and dental dams when performing or receiving oral sex. While condoms and dental dams don’t offer 100% protection against skin-to-skin STIs like genital herpes and HPV, they do substantially reduce your risk of contracting an infection. 

Don’t Get Bested, Get Tested!

The clinical team at Rapid STD Testing is here to help you enjoy a happy and healthy sex life for years to come. Can you get an STD from oral sex? Yes, but practicing safe sex and getting tested regularly for STIs protects you, your current partners, and your future partners. 

Why worry about STIs when you can take action? Our comprehensive STI tests are fast, effective, and stress-free. Call us today at (866) 870-1888 to order a test or visit a Rapid STD Testing center near you.