Can You Get Chlamydia Through Oral Sex?

2023 Author: Riley Dean | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 09:15

Is oral sex dangerous in terms of chlamydia?

Content

• 1 Features of the invasion of the parasite
• 2 Factors and resistance of the organism to the parasite

• 3 Ways of spread of the parasitic microorganism

  • 3.1 Sexual spread
  • 3.2 Contact household method
  • 3.3 Airborne transmission

It is a delusion to consider chlamydia a disease that is transmitted only through sexual contact. You can become infected with a parasitic agent at home or through other means of contact with the carrier. Whether it is possible to contract chlamydia through oral sex, and what other ways the parasite is transmitted, our experts will tell.

Features of the parasite invasion

Features of the parasite invasion

The transmission of the parasite depends on the type of chlamydia. Infection with more than ten types of parasites falls under the diagnosis of chlamydia.

Chlamydia lives and multiplies inside the human cell, but at the same time, the parasite has its own cell and DNA. For these reasons, the microorganism is neither a virus nor a bacteria. For the reproduction and vital activity of chlamydia, not all cells of the human body are suitable, but only the cylindrical epithelium. Suitable cells are located only in the mucous membrane and line the walls of the following human organs:

• Uterine neck;
• Urinary tract;
• Conjunctiva;
• Oral cavity;
• Rectum;
• The nasal cavity.

The process from infection to the penetration of a microorganism into the cell takes time - two days. Then the parasite freezes inside the cell, as it needs to deceive the human immune system. If the parasite immediately begins to multiply, then good human immunity will detect it and kill it. The freezing period of the agent inside the human body is called the incubation period. It has a duration of 2–3 weeks. During the incubation period, a person is already a distributor of the parasite, but the first signs of the disease have not yet appeared.

As soon as the immune system is weakened due to stress, fatigue or illness, chlamydia wakes up and affects the cylindrical cells.

Factors and resistance of the organism to the parasite

Whether or not a person becomes infected by contact with an infected patient depends on the form of the microorganism and in what environment it got. The most common type of chlamydia, trachomatis, is sexually transmitted. It is difficult to pick up a parasitic agent in everyday life. But the form of pneumonia is easily transmitted by airborne droplets and in everyday life, and with sexual contact, the risks of infection are minimal.

Whether or not a person becomes infected depends on factors:

• How strong a person's immunity is. A weakened immune system is unable to resist chlamydia and infection is possible with a probability of 80%.
• Genetic factor. Some people are genetically predisposed to chlamydia. Their immunity reacts poorly to a harmful microorganism.
• Chlamydia activity that has entered the body from the carrier. Microorganisms with weak virulence take root worse and do not have time to penetrate into the cell.
• Infections that accompany infection: trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, syphilis or other diseases. A secondary disease weakens the immune system and a favorable environment is created in the body for the development of chlamydia.
• Regularity of contact with the carrier. With a single contact, the probability of contracting a parasite is 40-60%, but with each repeated contact, the probability of getting sick will increase by 10-20%.

Once in the human body, chlamydia may not manifest itself in any way for several years. The first symptomatology is not pronounced and appears on the 7th day after infection. Unpleasant symptoms quickly disappear, and the person considers himself healthy. The parasite is diagnosed mainly in the later stages, when a person develops multiple pathologies.

Ways of spreading the parasitic microorganism

There are several ways of transmission of chlamydia from person to person:

• Sexually;
• In a household way;
• Airborne droplets.

Each form of microorganism is transmitted in its own way and has its own characteristics. Let us consider in more detail the weight of the transmission form of the parasitic agent.

Sexually spread

Through intercourse or its interpretation, the microorganism is transmitted in 70% of all cases of chlamydia.

During classic sexual intercourse, both sexual partners can become infected. But a woman is more likely to get chlamydia, since there is more columnar epithelium inside the vagina and at the cervix of the uterus than in a man in the urogenital canal.

With anal intercourse, the passive partner is more likely to become infected. The microorganism from the man's urogenital canal enters the rectum, where the mucous membrane is lined with cylindrical cells. If the carrier is a passive partner, then the second half is less likely to get infected.

Oral sex and chlamydia

An interesting situation with oral contact. If the man is the carrier of the parasite, and the woman is healthy, then the microorganisms enter the partner's oral cavity. But in order to become infected, a woman needs to receive a large dose of microorganisms, which rarely happens. If the carrier is a woman, then the probability of infection in a man is low. Conclusion: It is possible to become infected with chlamydia through oral contact, and both sexual partners are at risk.

To prevent the spread of chlamydia sexually: classical, oral or anal, you can use a condom. The condom must be worn before the moment of contact with the sexual partner, and not during the act. It is possible to become infected with chlamydia already during caresses, especially oral without penetration.

Remember, a condom will protect against unwanted pregnancy and various sexually transmitted diseases: chlamydia, syphilis, hepatitis, gonorrhea. Use personal protective equipment for any sexual contact.

Contact household method

Chlamydia is also transmitted by household contact, although not on an epidemiological scale. In everyday life, mainly forms of chlamydia are transmitted: Felis, Psittaci. Microorganisms settle in the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and eyes. Getting into the conjunctiva, chlamydia causes inflammation, the eyes fester and swell. Urogenital infection, caused by Trachomatis chlamydia, is also transmitted in everyday life, but less often.

There are several common ways the infection spreads:

• Through dirty hands;
• Through a damp towel or handkerchief;
• From underwear or bed linen;
• Personal items: toothbrush, nail file, etc.

Less commonly, the infection is spread through unprocessed food or doorknobs and public toilets.

Some types of bacteria are transmitted from animals and birds. It is necessary to explain to the child and not to touch the sick animal on the street. If you have to handle a sick pet, then use disposable gloves.

Outside the body of a person or animal, the microorganism chlamyda is able to survive up to 48 hours. Therefore, if you do not wash your hands during the day, then the likelihood of infection increases.

The microorganism is afraid of high temperatures and loves a humid environment. A hand towel is the best medium to distribute it. A person can get chlamydial conjunctivitis in any public place: sauna, swimming pool, gym. But the number of bacteria in such places is not large. If you observe personal hygiene and maintain the normal functioning of the immune system, then chlamydia does not threaten a person.

Airborne transmission

Airborne transmission

Airborne transmission is possible if the carrier is infected with a form of microorganism - Chlamydia pneumoniae. The parasitic agent causes pneumonia and bronchitis. A small proportion of chlamydia is released into the air when the wearer sneezes or coughs. If a healthy person is nearby at this moment, then he can inhale the parasite, which will enter the favorable environment of the nasopharynx of the new host.

Airborne transmission is rare, since a healthy person needs to inhale a large number of active chlamydia, which will have time to catch in the nasopharyngeal mucosa. And through sneezing or coughing, the number of microorganisms released into the external environment is minimal.

There is another way of transmission of the parasite - intrauterine infection. If the mother is sick with chlamydia, then the child can become infected even before his birth. This will affect the development of the baby and provoke the development of various pathologies. In utero, the parasite is rarely transmitted. More often, the newborn receives a portion of harmful microorganisms, passing through the birth canal of the mother. In the baby, the eyes and the genitourinary and respiratory systems are primarily affected.

It is possible to become infected with chlamydia at home, but most often the parasite is transmitted during intercourse. Oral contact is no exception. Both a woman and a man can get sick. There is only one way to prevent infection - by using a condom. Personal protective equipment is put on before contact begins, since any caress, without internal penetration, can also serve as a way of transmitting chlamydia from a carrier to a healthy partner.