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Can Chlamydia Cause Pharyngitis?
Question: Can chlamydia cause pharyngitis
Brief Answer:
It depends on the type of chlamydia
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Chlamydia is not a single species. You probably refer to the sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis which causes urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, eye infection etc but not pharyngitis.
There are other Chlamydia species, not currently called Chlamydia though (Chlamydophila), that may cause pharyngitis. Chlamydophila pneumoniae is related to pneumonia and Chlamydophila psittaci to various infections including pharyngitis.
If you meant only the sexually transmitted species then the answer is no.
If you meant the formerly called Chlamydia species (C psittaci in particular) then yes, it can.
I hope I've presented it in a clear and explicit way.
If you have more questions, please ask and I'll be glad to answer.
Kind Regards!
It depends on the type of chlamydia
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Chlamydia is not a single species. You probably refer to the sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis which causes urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, eye infection etc but not pharyngitis.
There are other Chlamydia species, not currently called Chlamydia though (Chlamydophila), that may cause pharyngitis. Chlamydophila pneumoniae is related to pneumonia and Chlamydophila psittaci to various infections including pharyngitis.
If you meant only the sexually transmitted species then the answer is no.
If you meant the formerly called Chlamydia species (C psittaci in particular) then yes, it can.
I hope I've presented it in a clear and explicit way.
If you have more questions, please ask and I'll be glad to answer.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
My throat was hurting so went to the doctor and was prescribed amoxicillin and antifungal suspension. I took a cbctest and a sed rate I asked for a hiv test. I explained to the doctor that had unprotected sex 17 and half years ago. My cbc came back normal and my Hiv came back non reactive. That's why I asked the first question. My doctor said I was ok. What should I do? I asked him if i needed to take a chlamydia/g honorary test and he said no?
Brief Answer:
Probably not
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I don't know why your doctor prescribed the antifungal suspension. This is not common practice, so he/she probably has suspicion for fungal infection?
17 years is a very long time. You shouldn't worry that much, particularly about the most common sexually transmitted diseases. If there was suspicion of fungal infection, the HIV test was appropriate, provided you hadn't used any corticosteroids either by mouth or by inhalation (treatment of asthma for example).
Amoxicillin is a broad spectrum antibiotic that covers most of the causes of bacterial pharyngitis but not chlamydia.
I don't yet understand why you feel that chlamydia might be the cause of your symptoms. The most probable cause is a virus, although I couldn't say which one. Many viruses can cause pharyngitis and no doctor can tell which of them is the cause, without specific testing.
Anyway, you shouldn't worry about a pharyngitis unless it won't go away after 5-7 days have passed or your symptoms get worse.
I hope I've addressed your concerns!
If you still have questions, please let me know.
Kind Regards!
Probably not
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I don't know why your doctor prescribed the antifungal suspension. This is not common practice, so he/she probably has suspicion for fungal infection?
17 years is a very long time. You shouldn't worry that much, particularly about the most common sexually transmitted diseases. If there was suspicion of fungal infection, the HIV test was appropriate, provided you hadn't used any corticosteroids either by mouth or by inhalation (treatment of asthma for example).
Amoxicillin is a broad spectrum antibiotic that covers most of the causes of bacterial pharyngitis but not chlamydia.
I don't yet understand why you feel that chlamydia might be the cause of your symptoms. The most probable cause is a virus, although I couldn't say which one. Many viruses can cause pharyngitis and no doctor can tell which of them is the cause, without specific testing.
Anyway, you shouldn't worry about a pharyngitis unless it won't go away after 5-7 days have passed or your symptoms get worse.
I hope I've addressed your concerns!
If you still have questions, please let me know.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
It's been over two weeks and my tongue cleared a bit but it still looks white. Can gonorria give you pharyngitis? What do you recommend?
My first visit to him he prescribed amoxicillin and the suspension. I'm the one that went online and tried to do research on causes of white tongue. So I asked for a Hiv test.I did explained that I had unprotected sex approximately 17 and a half years ago. The test came back non reactive. He said for me to take a basic blood work with a sedrate. The sedrate came back normal. My wbc was high. He said it was probably due to the throat infection. When I looked up pharyngitis it said a few causes was chlamydia and gonohrea. I need you help to understand why I might be experiencing this white tongue. I don't even know how long my tongue has been this way. I don't have asthma. I have taken antibiotics before .
My first visit to him he prescribed amoxicillin and the suspension. I'm the one that went online and tried to do research on causes of white tongue. So I asked for a Hiv test.I did explained that I had unprotected sex approximately 17 and a half years ago. The test came back non reactive. He said for me to take a basic blood work with a sedrate. The sedrate came back normal. My wbc was high. He said it was probably due to the throat infection. When I looked up pharyngitis it said a few causes was chlamydia and gonohrea. I need you help to understand why I might be experiencing this white tongue. I don't even know how long my tongue has been this way. I don't have asthma. I have taken antibiotics before .
Brief Answer:
It would be a big XXXXXXX if it was gonorrhea
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You seem to really feel anxious about it. Let me explain some facts about gonorrhea. Neisseria gonorrhea can cause pharyngitis but this is rare and it's always the result of orogenital contact. You can't expect such an infection 17 years later. It's impossible unless you've had more suspicious contacts.
You haven't mentioned when your tongue got white. You must try to remember. For example when you brushed your teeth... did you see white patches before getting sick with your throat? Was it when your throat begun to hurt? If yes, then please keep in mind that a severe throat infection can cause a white patch on the tongue. Dehydration from high fever is a possible cause too. Broad spectrum antibiotics like amoxicillin also cause (not very often though) white patches (fungal infections - candida mostly).
Also a good quality picture of your throat would be helpful. If it is candida then the picture would be diagnostic. For other causes, more data might be needed.
Since your doctor gave you antifungals which means that he/she suspected fungal infection, testing for candida (including a culture) would be appropriate.
One more thing; in your initial question you mentioned chlamydia, now you mention gonorrhea. I hope you don't confuse between the two because they are different. Both can be sexually transmitted but they are not the same disease.
Despite that, people who usually acquire a sexually transmitted infection are prone to also acquire another because most of them exhibit a risky behavior regarding their sexual relationships.
So if you want to investigate it further, laboratory testing would be needed and a good picture of the lesion itself. If possible ask somebody to take a picture of your throat also.
If you want to continue this conversation, please send me the details I asked for.
I hope you get better soon!
Kind Regards!
It would be a big XXXXXXX if it was gonorrhea
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You seem to really feel anxious about it. Let me explain some facts about gonorrhea. Neisseria gonorrhea can cause pharyngitis but this is rare and it's always the result of orogenital contact. You can't expect such an infection 17 years later. It's impossible unless you've had more suspicious contacts.
You haven't mentioned when your tongue got white. You must try to remember. For example when you brushed your teeth... did you see white patches before getting sick with your throat? Was it when your throat begun to hurt? If yes, then please keep in mind that a severe throat infection can cause a white patch on the tongue. Dehydration from high fever is a possible cause too. Broad spectrum antibiotics like amoxicillin also cause (not very often though) white patches (fungal infections - candida mostly).
Also a good quality picture of your throat would be helpful. If it is candida then the picture would be diagnostic. For other causes, more data might be needed.
Since your doctor gave you antifungals which means that he/she suspected fungal infection, testing for candida (including a culture) would be appropriate.
One more thing; in your initial question you mentioned chlamydia, now you mention gonorrhea. I hope you don't confuse between the two because they are different. Both can be sexually transmitted but they are not the same disease.
Despite that, people who usually acquire a sexually transmitted infection are prone to also acquire another because most of them exhibit a risky behavior regarding their sexual relationships.
So if you want to investigate it further, laboratory testing would be needed and a good picture of the lesion itself. If possible ask somebody to take a picture of your throat also.
If you want to continue this conversation, please send me the details I asked for.
I hope you get better soon!
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
My tongue was already white before my throat started to hurt. I took a picture but I don't know how to send it sorry
Brief Answer:
Please consult the website help-desk
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
a picture would be of great help to determine the extent and other characteristics of the lesions. The sexually transmitted diseases that you seem to fear the most, are effectively ruled out by the 17 years timespan.
Please consult the website help for details on file uploading.
Best Regards!
Please consult the website help-desk
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
a picture would be of great help to determine the extent and other characteristics of the lesions. The sexually transmitted diseases that you seem to fear the most, are effectively ruled out by the 17 years timespan.
Please consult the website help for details on file uploading.
Best Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
I had unprotected sex with a woman 17 and half years ago. I tested negative. Am I out of the woods with Hiv
Brief Answer:
definitely out of the woods!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I understand your concern. Having HIV changes your life forever. But your chances of having had HIV is zero... I couldn't make it more clear than that! The chances of another sexually transmitted disease relating to your throat problem is zero as well!
I would need a picture of your tongue and pharynx for a better assessment of your situation. If you cannot make it, then a general differential diagnosis would include the causes I've already mentioned in previous answers, various causes of glossitis (B12 or other vitamin insufficiency, excessive smoking etc) and cancer. Cancer is supposed to be local, while a glossitis is usually widespread.
I hope I've been clear in my answers!
If you need further clarifications please let me know.
Kind Regards!
definitely out of the woods!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I understand your concern. Having HIV changes your life forever. But your chances of having had HIV is zero... I couldn't make it more clear than that! The chances of another sexually transmitted disease relating to your throat problem is zero as well!
I would need a picture of your tongue and pharynx for a better assessment of your situation. If you cannot make it, then a general differential diagnosis would include the causes I've already mentioned in previous answers, various causes of glossitis (B12 or other vitamin insufficiency, excessive smoking etc) and cancer. Cancer is supposed to be local, while a glossitis is usually widespread.
I hope I've been clear in my answers!
If you need further clarifications please let me know.
Kind Regards!
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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