Does Oral Gonorrhea Clear on Its Own?

Does Oral Gonorrhea Clear on Its Own?

Contrary to what some people may think, STD symptoms are not restricted to the genital region. The truth is, STDs can manifest in a number of different ways, and they can even exist in multiple places within the body at once. As such, diseases like gonorrhea may be present within the genitals, in the mouth or throat, or within the anus. In regard to oral gonorrhea, it can be difficult to diagnose or recognize this particular strand of the infection. That’s because oral gonorrhea is typically mild or asymptomatic. Does oral gonorrhea clear on its own, though? The answer is twofold: yes, symptoms of oral gonorrhea will typically dissipate after a few days/weeks, but the infection itself could remain in your system for much longer.

Oral Gonorrhea vs Sore Throat

Many people who contract oral gonorrhea never realize they have it. Indeed, the signs and symptoms of oral gonorrhea are very similar to strep throat. What’s more, it’s quite challenging to spot the difference between the two with a simple examination. The only way to determine the cause of your throat pain is to utilize a specialized swab test.

How is Oral Gonorrhea Spread?

Oral gonorrhea is, perhaps unsurprisingly, spread primarily through oral sex. (That includes cunnilingus, fellatio, and analingus.) Because of the way gonorrhea is transmitted, it’s possible for one person to have genital gonorrhea and for their partner to contract it orally. It’s worth noting here that while oral sex is extremely common, a large number of people don’t use condoms during oral intercourse.  

Am I At Risk for Oral Gonorrhea?

If you’ve engaged in unprotected oral sex recently, then yes, you could be at risk for contracting oral gonorrhea. In general, oral gonorrhea spreads more often through fellatio than cunnilingus, but anyone who performs oral sex can get an STD as a result. Furthermore, using a condom during oral sex will significantly lower (but not eliminate) your chances for infection.

Dangers of Oral Gonorrhea

The good news about oral gonorrhea is that it shouldn’t present any major health risks on its own. However, if you have oral gonorrhea you can unwittingly pass it to your partner. In addition, contracting genital gonorrhea can lead to a host of problems including epididymitis for men, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) for women. Lastly, untreated gonorrhea can contribute to infertility in some cases.

Preventing Oral Gonorrhea

Following a few basic health tips will help prevent the spread of oral gonorrhea. First, always use a condom during sexual intercourse with a new partner, including oral sex. Second, practice good oral and genital hygiene. And third, get tested regularly.