Can you get chlamydia from french kissing

STIs are more commonly spread during oral sex or intercourse. Over 26 sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may be passed on through sexual contact, and a vast majority of these infections include contact with genital fluids, sores, and the genitals. But did you know that there are few that can be passed through kissing?

This may be a low-risk sexual activity or a simple display of affection for many individuals, but there are a few STDs that can be passed on through kissing, especially when an individual has active symptoms or infections, such as oral sores. Here are 4 STDs you should know that can be spread through kissing.

1. Syphilis

As a bacterial infection, syphilis can be spread from direct oral contact with a syphilis sore. Most of these sores are found on the lips, in the mouth, and on genitals. These sores are typically firm, round, and painless, and can heal within 3 to 6 weeks.

Over time, the individual with a syphilis infection may see a reddish-brown rash develop on the palms of their hands, on the soles of their feet, or sometimes both. As these rashes do not cause any itch, the individual may not notice it straight away.

2. Herpes

Herpes is known as a simplex virus with 2 different forms, HSV-1 and HSV-2, with the former being easily spread through kissing. An individual with herpes may experience periods where there are no symptoms of the disease, followed after by periods in which they may experience different symptoms. While herpes is most contagious when the symptoms are present, an asymptomatic individual is still able to pass it on.

HSV-1 is the most common oral herpes that causes ulcers, painful blisters or sores that are formed within, around, or on the lips and the mouth of the infected individual. These skin lesions are often known and referred to as cold sores.

3. HPV

There are several different types of human papillomaviruses (HPVs). In some instances, HPV can be passed from one individual to the other when there is oral contact or through contact with infected saliva. For HPV, the most common way for the virus to be transmitted is through contact with the genitals.

Oral HPV, which is infection through oral contact, can infect the mouth and the throat, causing cancers to the oropharynx, the base of the tongue, the tonsils, and the back of the throat.

4. Cytomegalovirus

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an STD that can be spread from direct contact with bodily fluids, such as breast milk, tears, semen, and blood. For younger children and babies, they can be spread through contact with urine or saliva. Healthy individuals are able to prevent the spread of CMV through their body’s immune system, combating any severe illnesses or infections.

With CMV, individuals may experience symptoms such as fatigue, fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. Individuals with compromised immune functions may experience much more severe symptoms on their eyes, stomach, liver, lungs, oesophagus, and intestines.

Conclusion

Only 4 out of 26 different STDs are able to be passed through kissing, but that doesn’t mean you should take them lightly. Should you detect any symptoms of infectious diseases, you should seek an STD clinic in Singapore, such as Elyon Clinic. We offer essential healthcare services to treat hair loss, wart removal, as well as health screenings, HIV testing, and STD testing.

Medically reviewed on May 23, 2022 by Jordan Stachel, M.S., RDN, CPT. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.

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Despite what you might have heard, you cannot get chlamydia from kissing. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that is only transmitted through anal, vaginal, and/or oral sex. It is a relatively common STI that affects around 4 million Americans every year, mostly those under the age of 25, and there is a lot of misinformation circulated about this infection.

In this article, we’ll clear the air and explain exactly how chlamydia spreads, what symptoms might look like (though oftentimes those who have it are asymptomatic), and exactly what you can and cannot contract from locking lips.

Kissing and Chlamydia: Are There Any Risks?

Because chlamydia cannot be transferred via saliva, you are not at risk of contracting the infection from kissing. Nonsexual contact is safe because, again, it is only spread through anal, vaginal, and/or oral sex.

However, it is worth pointing out that ejaculation does not have to occur to spread chlamydia, so anytime you are having sex without protection, you’re putting yourself at risk for any sort of sexually transmitted infection.

Can You Get Chlamydia From Sharing Drinks?

You cannot get chlamydia from sharing drinks. As mentioned above, chlamydia cannot be transferred via saliva, so there is no risk involved in sharing food or drinks, or even engaging in other forms of casual contact like holding hands, coughing, sneezing, hugging, or sitting on the toilet.

So, How Does Chlamydia Spread?

Chlamydia spreads through anal, vaginal, and/or oral sex. It’s carried in semen and vaginal fluids and can infect areas such as the vagina, penis, cervix, anus, and urethra, as well as the eyes and throat.

Here are some other important facts to know about the spread of chlamydia:

• Even if no one ejaculates, you can still contract chlamydia during sex.
• You can spread chlamydia to other parts of the body without sexual contact. For example, if you have a vaginal chlamydia infection and you use the bathroom, you can spread it to your anus simply by wiping.
• Even if you’ve had and been treated for chlamydia before, you can be reinfected with the disease if exposed a second time or more.
• If you share sex toys and the toys have been exposed to chlamydia, it’s possible to spread the infection through them.
• Women with chlamydia can give the infection to a baby passing through the cervix during birth, which can lead to blindness, pneumonia, or other serious complications. The CDC recommends that women under 25 years old or at risk of infection test during the third trimester, and be retested within three months after birth if infected.
• Though rare, you can also transmit chlamydia to the eye if you have fluids on your hand and touch your eye.

Symptoms To Look Out For

Many people don’t show symptoms of chlamydia. In fact, nearly 70% of women are asymptomatic and about 50% of men with chlamydia, which is one of the reasons it can spread quickly and unknowingly. It’s important to test regularly if you’re sexually active because chlamydia can be dangerous if left untreated.

Symptoms include:

• Burning while peeing
• Abnormal discharge
• Unusual odor from the vagina or penis
• Heightened soreness around the genitals
• Rectal pain or anal bleeding if passed through anal sex
• Pain or swelling in one or both testicles for men
• Bleeding between menstrual periods for women

If left untreated, chlamydia can have serious long-term consequences. For men specifically, possible issues could include:

• Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU), or an infection of the urethra, which can lead to uncomfortable or frequent urination, abnormal discharge, and more
• Epididymitis, or an infection of the tube carrying sperm from the testes, which can lead to testicular pain and swelling
• Proctitis, or inflammation of the rectum

If left untreated in women specifically, issues could include:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause chronic pelvic pain and infertility
• Ectopic pregnancy, when an unfertilized egg grows outside the uterus and can damage organs or cause blood loss
• Preterm birth or other issues for babies that are delivered vaginally

How To Prevent Chlamydia

Using condoms or dental dams can reduce the risk of contracting chlamydia. It’s also a good idea to test regularly. Open the dialogue with your partner to chat about the importance of regular testing and how it can reduce any potential long-term risks.

To easily test for chlamydia from the privacy of your home, take the Everlywell Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test. You can also check for six common sexually transmitted infections (including chlamydia) with the Everlywell at-home STD Test for men or women.

Young adults, especially those in their college years, are particularly at risk for getting chlamydia. That’s why it’s especially important to educate yourself on the causes, risks, and ways to regularly test to ensure you’re not spreading it from partner to partner. If you have any questions or concerns about HPV or other STIs, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss risk factors, treatments, and testing options.

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