It’s possible you both are experiencing symptoms caused by a Chlamydia or Gonorrhea infection in the throat. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are transmitted through infected semen and vaginal fluids. They are bacteria that can infect the vagina, penis, anus or throat. More often than not, these infections are asymptomatic- which means they don’t have symptoms. So it’s quite possible for vaginal fluids and/or semen to be infected without symptoms in the penis or vagina specifically.
Get tested as soon as you can. Teen Clinic provides free and confidential STI testing, including a throat culture that will detect if Chlamydia or Gonorrhea is present. Remember that flavored condoms and dental dams are effective methods for reducing the transmission of STIs during oral sex! Until you are tested and treated, abstain for sexual activity or use condoms and dental dams.
Probably not. Your sore throat is a common symptom of a viral or bacterial cold. Not to mention its “flu season”! Many people are experiencing similar symptoms. If you are not feeling better in one week, visit your family doctor.
It’s great that you are thinking about STI transmission during oral sex- there is definitely a risk. Herpes & HPV are both viral STIs that transmit via skin-to-skin contact. Both viruses present themselves in the mouth and genitals. Herpes can cause cold sores on the outside of the mouth and around the genitals. HPV can cause abnormal cell growth (that can lead to cancer) in the mouth, throat and genitals. It’s also possible to contract Chlamydia or Gonorrhea in the throat through unprotected oral sex. Symptoms are generally a sore throat. Flavored condoms & dental dams exist purely for protected oral sex. Check out your Teen Clinic or local pharmacy for condoms & dental dams; be sure to use them every time!
Great question! Flavored condoms are just regular latex condoms with a flavored coating. If you’ve ever had a dentist’s glove in your mouth, you know latex doesn’t taste very good; flavored condoms help make protected oral intercourse more enjoyable for the giver, just as you suggested! The coating flavors range from strawberry to chocolate to cola, and are all safe for human consumption. And don’t worry—these condoms will reduce the risk of STIs as effectively as plain condoms!
Avoid using flavored condoms for vaginal intercourse, however. The artificial flavoring can contain sugars and other chemicals that may cause vaginal infection. To reduce the risk of STI transmission and pregnancy during vaginal intercourse, just use a plain condom! And don’t forget to switch condoms between sexual activities.
Throat irritation can be a sign of infection. Many STIs are transmitted through unprotected oral sex, including Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. HPV has been linked to mouth and throat cancer when the virus is transmitted via oral sex, and Herpes Type II (genital herpes) can be transmitted to the mouth, leading to cold sores on the outside of the mouth. (Herpes Type I (oral herpes) can also cross-transmit, causing cold sore outbreaks on the genitals.)
Since there is a great risk for transmission, it’s very important for you and a partner to get tested for any STIs. Getting treated right away may help you and your partner prevent long-term effects. If you’ve ruled out sexual infections, see your doctor to make sure you don’t have another type of infection, like strep throat.
In the future, always use a condom or a dental dam every time you engage in oral sex to prevent STI transmission. And don’t forget to communicate with your partner about each of your sexual histories! Being informed is critical to good sexual decision-making.
It’s very possible to transmit and contract STIs through oral sex. It’s hard to estimate the exact likelihood of any individual. One person involved must be infected and there must be skin contact or the exchange of blood, semen and/or vaginal fluids. Some STIs are more likely to be transmitted during oral sex than others. Herpes & HPV are both viral STIs that transmit via skin-to-skin contact. Both viruses present themselves in the mouth and genitals. Herpes can cause cold sores on the outside of the mouth and around the genitals. HPV can cause abnormal cell growth (that can lead to cancer) in the mouth, throat and genitals. It’s also possible to contract Chlamydia or Gonorrhea in the throat through unprotected oral sex. Symptoms are generally a sore throat. Flavored condoms & dental dams exist purely for protected oral sex. Check out your local clinic or pharmacy for condoms & dental dams; be sure to use them every time!
…Could some of the sperm still go from the mouth to the vagina and not be impacted by the salivary amylase and cause a pregnancy?
In this scenario, it is very unlikely and pretty much impossible for this woman to become pregnant. Sperm will not live long at room temperature or outside the vagina. In order for sperm to successfully swim up the vagina canal, through the cervix, into the uterus to fertilize an egg in the fallopian tubes – they need some warm, moist vaginal fluids. Pregnancy is a risk if sperm comes from the penis into or around the vagina. The transition from one person’s mouth to another person’s mouth would most likely be too much stress for the sperm.
