We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
Chlamydia is a common but preventable sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is rare for a person to get chlamydia in the throat, and people can test for the infection at home or a health clinic.
- Best for insurance: Nurx Healthy Woman Kit | Skip to review
- Best for three-site testing: myLAB Box 3-Site Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test | Skip to review
A person can contract chlamydia in the throat by giving or receiving oral sex with someone with chlamydia.
This article looks at the symptoms of chlamydia, discussing chlamydia of the throat and when to test. It also looks at four home testing kits for chlamydia and what they involve.
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial STI in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate there were
The CDC also states that chlamydia is more common in young people, with two-thirds of new infections occurring among those ages 15–24 years. Like most STIs, the infection passes from person to person through sexual contact with the penis, vagina, anus, or mouth.
Although chlamydia of the throat is
A person can contract it by giving oral sex to someone with chlamydia through their penis, vagina, or rectum. Someone can also acquire it by receiving oral sex on the penis, vagina, or rectum from a partner who has chlamydia in the throat.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
The following table compares the at-home test kits in this article on price, results, turnaround time, and sample types.
Medical News Today’s methodology
Medical News Today chooses at-home tests that meet the following criteria where possible:
- Laboratories: MNT will choose companies that process test samples in
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-certified labs. This means they follow state and federal regulations. - Budget: MNT chooses at-home tests that suit a wide range of budgets.
- Privacy: MNT includes companies that offer robust and transparent privacy measures, such as data protection and discreet packaging.
- Test result speed: MNT selects companies that inform customers when they will receive their test results and whether they will receive them via email, app, or phone.
- Further support: MNT will indicate whether a company offers further support, such as a follow-up phone consultation with a doctor to discuss test results.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more.
People may consider the following when purchasing at-home tests:
- Price: At-home testing can be expensive, especially if a person requires a full panel test. Some companies offer subscriptions that provide a discount, which may be a suitable option for those who need regular testing.
- STI screening: Some tests only screen for one STI, while others check for several. Buyers should consider the infections they need to test for and avoid paying more for tests that look for STIs they do not need to test for.
- Sample type: People looking for testing for a particular part of the body, such as the genitals, mouth, throat, or rectum, should make sure the test is suitable for that area.
- Results turnaround: People needing rapid test results may wish to purchase a test from a company that advertises faster results.
- Follow-up care: Some companies offer a free consultation with a healthcare professional if a test returns a positive result.
- Packaging: Most companies advertise discreet packaging, which may benefit those who do not want friends or family members to know they are testing for STIs.
There are several safe and reliable at-home tests people can use to check if they have chlamydia. However, not all of them will include throat swabs to check for this type of infection.
Those concerned about visiting a healthcare professional or who cannot travel to a clinic may find an at-home test convenient.
These home test kits may also increase the number of people receiving testing for chlamydia. A
Health experts state that the coronavirus pandemic increased the development of at-home STI tests. They say this may also result in increased testing, convenience, and privacy for individuals.
Chlamydia of the throat can be asymptomatic and show no symptoms. However, symptoms may include:
- sore throat
- swollen lymph nodes
- mouth pain, soreness, or redness
- sores in the mouth or around the lips
- white spots at the back of the throat
- an increase in the risk of dental problems
Learn more about the symptoms of oral chlamydia.
It is also possible to have chlamydia in the throat and the genitals simultaneously. Most genital chlamydia infections are also asymptomatic.
Learn more about the symptoms of genital chlamydia.
Experts recommend waiting 2 weeks after exposure to the virus because the infection is not always detectable in its early stages.
People with the below symptoms may wish to consider consulting a healthcare professional and refrain from having sex until they receive an STI screening:
- genital discharge
- burning during urination
- unusual sores or rashes
The
- sexually active females younger than 25 years old
- all pregnant people
- individuals at a higher risk of contracting infection, for example:
- those with multiple sexual partners
- sexually active gay and bisexual individuals
- those who have had sexual contact with a partner recently diagnosed with an STI
Doctors can treat chlamydia by prescribing antibiotics. According to the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS), more than 95% of chlamydia cases are curable if people take their medication correctly.
The main risk of oral chlamydia is that a person can pass this infection on to a sexual partner. If someone transmits this infection to a partner’s genitals, there is also the risk that they may develop this infection in their own genitals.
General risks of untreated chlamydia infection
According to the CDC, the following are some risks of untreated chlamydia infections:
- pelvic inflammatory disease, which can affect fertility
- perihepatitis, or Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome
- pre-term delivery for those who are pregnant
- conjunctivitis and pneumonia in newborns
- reactive arthritis
- increase in the risk of contracting HIV
There are benefits to sex as well as risks. A healthy and active sex life can improve mental health and emotional well-being. However, a person may wish to be aware of the associated risks to protect their physical health.
People can try the following tips to get the most from their sex life while minimizing the risk to their health:
- talking openly with sexual partners about protection and contraception
- knowing the symptoms of common STIs
- having a plan of action for testing and treatment in the event of symptoms
- considering a regular testing schedule if sexually active with multiple partners
- understanding the benefits and limitations of contraception and barrier protection methods
- abstaining from sex if they suspect an STI or until they have finished a course of medication
- using appropriate protection every time during oral, anal, and vaginal intercourse
- keeping sex toys clean and using condoms on sex toys
Here we answer some common questions about testing for chlamydia in the throat.
Can you test for throat chlamydia at home?
People can test for chlamydia in the throat at home. Companies including Nurx and MyLAB Box sell at-home chlamydia tests.
How do you test for chlamydia in your throat?
A person will need to take an oral swab to test for chlamydia in the throat. They can do this at a doctor’s office or with an at-home test.
Is there an oral chlamydia test?
Nurx and MyLAB Box test for oral chlamydia. People can also get oral chlamydia tests at a doctor’s office.
Is throat chlamydia the same as chlamydia?
Chlamydia in the throat develops from the same bacteria as that of anal or genital chlamydia.
How did I get chlamydia in my throat?
People contract chlamydia in the throat the same way they contract STIs anywhere else in the body — they come into sexual contact with someone who already has the infection.
People may get chlamydia in the throat after performing oral sex on a partner with chlamydia.
Is chlamydia in the throat serious?
The main risk of chlamydia in the throat is passing the infection to another person. People with this infection can pass it on to their partner’s genitals during sex.
Although chlamydia in the throat is uncommon, this infection is the most frequently reported STI in the U.S. A person may acquire chlamydia in the genitals and throat at the same time, and the infection can often be asymptomatic.
At-home test kits for chlamydia can provide reliable and confidential test results, making them convenient for people with limited access to clinics.