Can You Get Chlamydia Through Kissing?

The Quick Answer: No, Not Through Kissing Alone

You cannot get chlamydia from kissing. This is a common concern, but chlamydia isn't transmitted through saliva or casual mouth-to-mouth contact.

Let's explain why, and clarify how chlamydia actually spreads.

How Chlamydia Is Actually Transmitted

Chlamydia is caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. These bacteria can only infect certain types of cells found in:

• The urethra (urine tube)
• The cervix
• The rectum
• The throat (to a lesser extent)
• The eyes (rare)

Primary Transmission Routes

Sexual contact is required for transmission:

• Vaginal sex: The most common transmission route
• Anal sex: Can infect the rectum
• Oral sex: Can infect the throat, though less commonly
• Sharing sex toys: If used without proper cleaning or condoms

What About the Mouth and Throat?

Chlamydia can infect the throat through oral sex (giving oral sex to someone with genital chlamydia). However:

• Throat chlamydia is relatively uncommon
• It's usually asymptomatic
• It's less efficiently transmitted than genital chlamydia

But this is through oral-genital contact, not kissing.

Why Kissing Doesn't Spread Chlamydia

Saliva Doesn't Contain Transmissible Bacteria

• Chlamydia bacteria infect the cells of the throat, not the saliva itself
• Even if someone has throat chlamydia, the bacteria aren't freely floating in their saliva in transmissible amounts
• The mouth and saliva are not hospitable environments for chlamydia to survive and transmit

The Bacteria Need Specific Cells

• Chlamydia requires columnar epithelial cells to infect
• These cells are found in the cervix, urethra, rectum, and to some extent the throat
• The mouth lining (oral mucosa) doesn't have the right cell types in the areas contacted by kissing

No Documented Cases

• There are no scientifically documented cases of chlamydia transmission through kissing alone
• Studies of transmission routes consistently show sexual contact as the requirement

What Kissing CAN Transmit

While chlamydia isn't a risk, some other infections can spread through kissing:

[Herpes](/conditions/herpes) (HSV-1)

• Oral herpes (cold sores) spreads easily through kissing
• Can then be transmitted to genitals through oral sex
• This is the main STI risk from kissing

Other Infections (Not STIs)

• Colds and flu
• Mononucleosis (glandular fever / "kissing disease")
• COVID-19 and other respiratory infections
• Meningococcal bacteria

Emerging Research on Other STIs

Some research suggests deep kissing may play a role in transmitting:

• **Gonorrhoea**: Emerging evidence suggests possible transmission through deep kissing, though this is still being studied
• **Syphilis**: If a sore is present in the mouth, contact with it could transmit syphilis

These are not yet definitively established and require more research.

Chlamydia Transmission Myths

Myth: "You can get chlamydia from toilet seats"

Fact: No. Chlamydia bacteria die quickly outside the body and cannot survive on surfaces.

Myth: "You can get chlamydia from sharing drinks"

Fact: No. Chlamydia isn't in saliva in transmissible form.

Myth: "You can get chlamydia from swimming pools"

Fact: No. Chlorine and dilution make transmission impossible.

Myth: "You can get chlamydia from hugging or holding hands"

Fact: No. Chlamydia requires sexual contact.

How to Actually Protect Yourself from Chlamydia

Use Condoms

• Highly effective at preventing chlamydia
• Use for vaginal, anal, and oral sex with new or casual partners

Get Tested Regularly

• Chlamydia often has no symptoms
• Annual testing recommended for sexually active under-25s
• Test with new partners

Communicate With Partners

• Discuss testing and sexual health
• Consider getting tested together

Limit Partners

• Fewer partners means lower exposure risk
• Know your partners' STI status

When to Get Tested

You should get tested for chlamydia if you:

• Have had unprotected sex with a new partner
• Have symptoms (unusual discharge, pain urinating, pelvic pain)
• A partner has been diagnosed with chlamydia
• You're under 25 and sexually active (annual screening recommended)
• Have multiple sexual partners

What Testing Involves

• Simple urine sample or self-taken swab
• Results within days
• Completely confidential

Where to Get Tested

• Sexual health clinics
• Your GP
• Online testing services
• Pharmacies offering testing

The Bottom Line

You cannot catch chlamydia from kissing. Chlamydia spreads through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Protect yourself by using condoms with new partners and getting tested regularly.

If you're worried about chlamydia, the answer isn't to avoid kissing – it's to get tested.

Get Tested Today

Quick, confidential chlamydia testing is available. Don't let worry linger – get answers. Book your test now.