Which STDs Can You Contract From Oral Sex?
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are known to be transmitted through sexual acts. Most people will assume that this encompasses vaginal and anal sex. However, there are some STDs that can be transmitted through oral sex too, whether it is fellatio (blowjobs), cunnilingus or anilingus (rimming). STD clinics in Singapore have seen patients who have never had anal or vaginal sex contract STDs in this manner. It can be dangerous to one’s health if they perform oral sex without first putting on a condom or a dental dam. In this article, we will explore how STDs are transmitted through oral sex and which STDs you should watch out for.
Transmission of STDs
Common STDs usually enter the body through sexual or bodily fluids such as ejaculate, vaginal fluids or anal fluids. The bacteria or viruses fluids would then be able to cause an STD infection. It is very common for those infected in this manner to develop sores in the mouth or throat area, but it is also possible that viral STDs enter the bloodstream from cuts in the mouth. Unfortunately, you may not even know whether your partner has an STD, as many STDs do not develop symptoms. The best way to prevent STDs, of course, is to avoid sex altogether. Below are some common STDs that can be transmitted through oral sex:
Chlamydia
Notoriously known for its asymptomatic nature, chlamydia is one of the most widespread STDs around. Chlamydia, when transmitted during oral sex, can infect the throat of the person giving oral sex or the genitalia of the person receiving oral sex. Fortunately, because chlamydia is a bacteria, it can be treated fully with a course of antibiotics. The disease can also be detected through tests in any STD clinic. Some symptoms of chlamydia include discharge from the vagina or penis, swollen or painful testicles and a burning feeling when urinating. If the bacteria has infected the throat, it would usually cause a sore throat though that can also be incredibly painful. Please visit an STD clinic immediately if you experience any of these symptoms, as they are also common to other STDs.
Herpes
Herpes is a virus that causes outbreaks of sores in the mouth, throat, genitals, anus, rectum and buttocks. They can be transmitted through oral sex with another infected party. The virus may not exhibit symptoms at first, but will eventually cause painful or itchy sores at the area of infection. These sores may go away on their own, but it is recommended that you seek antiviral medication to reduce or shorten such outbreaks. There is no vaccine available to protect the body from the herpes virus and no medicine can cure the virus for good.
Conclusion
There are a few other STDs that may be contracted through oral sex, such as syphilis, gonorrhoea and HPV. Knowing that there are STD-related risks involved in oral sex means you should be more careful of who you have sex with.
