Can you get strep from oral?

Are you wondering whether you can get strep from oral? Well, wonder no more as we unpack the answer to this pressing question.

What is strep?

Before delving into whether or not it’s possible to catch strep during an intimate session, let’s explore what constitutes strep.

Streptococcus bacteria cause a plethora of infections collectively called “streptococcal” infections. They belong to two major groups: Group A and Group B Streptococcus.

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection causes mild illnesses like strep throat and impetigo but also severe conditions such as necrotizing fasciitis (“flesh-eating” disease) and toxic shock syndrome.

On the other hand, Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization results in urinary tract infections in adults and neonatal sepsis- that’s blood poisoning among newborns up to three months old- or meningitis for infants younger than three months of age.

How is strep transmitted?

Furthermore, one must understand how this microbe spreads before answering whether out-of-the-mouth matters lead to potential bacterial influx. The transmission usually occurs when individuals come into contact with airborne droplets expelled by infected persons from their respiratory tracts after coughing or sneezing.

Moreover, since GAS dwelling on external body surfaces may enter through skin abrasions (as sporty enthusiasts well know), they might gain entry following close contact with wounded sites while engaging in playful activities.

Finally yet importantly, fecal-to-oral transmission mode places domestic partners at high risk when sharing things like toothbrushes contaminated with human waste containing daily product exudates rich in GAS colonies [1]. Though sounding repugnant beyond measure for most folks reading these lines – some would say downright crapulent -, according to scientific evidence-based data gleaned over the years, mouths serve as fertile albeit temporary niches for a range of microbial organisms to thrive [2].

Can You Get Strep from Oral?

Now onto the meaty subject – can you catch strep from oral? We all know that oral sex comes with some associated risks. Plus, performing fellatio or cunnilingus might lead to sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, Chlamydia,Gonorrhea or Herpes virus (HSV) type 1.

However, according to our sources winks, it’s quite unlikely for sexual partners solely via mouth-to-mouth contact- let alone hand mastubation without fluid exchange- transmission pathways are available.

The American Sexual Health Association and Condom Depot warn against fresh wounds inside the mouth during fellatio because they facilitate entry points when both individuals have open sores in their throats not necessarily caused by GAS bacteria since exposure can inflame mucous membranes too wide for microbes already present in their bodies [3]. However this ought not be confused with an incidence of bacterial contamination necessarilly leading to streptococcus.

Debunking The Common Misconceptions

Funny enough :-), we couldn’t resist but clarify some myths surrounding the subject at hand:

Myth: It must be deadly serious getting infected with Streptococcus

Reality

While GAS is no joke when left untreated,” If diagnosed promptly and adequately addressed through prescribed medications such ass antibiotics before turning into suppurative complications like Rheumatic heart disease(RHD) , necrotizing fasciitis (“flesh-eating” disease)or acute glomerulonephritis (AGN), most patients attain full recovery within ten days [4]

Myth: All healthy adults always have sterile saliva

Reality

This statement couldn’t be further away from truth… if there was any! In fact one medium drop holds approximately about two million bacterial colonies of varying types with a total count ranging from 10^10 to 10^11 [5]. A lack of bacterium doesn’t exist in saliva, so now you think twice before sharing drinks on your next get together.

Myth: Bacteria doesn’t survive for long out of the body

Reality

Bacterial life span varies above and beyond; some varieties can withstand thriving conditions up to several weeks when climate regimes or oxygen availability suit them well enough, such as Streptococcus saprophyticus residing within urinary tract epithelial cells although they are known unable to thrive outside hosts.

What To Do When You Suspect Strep

If you suspect that you have contracted strep through oral methods or any other type of contact, it’s vital to seek medical attention right away.

Diagnosis involves testing samples collected along mucous membrane sites involved,such as throat swabs culture and even blood tests if patient worsens its condition after antibiotic initiation (Rule-out cases needing more forceful med management). Treatment usually employs antibiotics as failsafe means at preventing later sequalae caused by GAS strains ingressing into capillaries giving rise to symptoms induced release of toxins [4][6]

Furthermore, don’t forget that maintaining good hygiene habits can significantly decrease the risk of transmission too. As mentioned earlier, avoid sharing personal hygiene items like toothbrushes and clean all surfaces regularly.

Conclusion

In conclusion,you cannot catch strep from just oral sex alone nor via hand stimulation without bodily fluids exchange but rather requires one individual’s sustained presence around another whose respiratory infections occur often. Understandably this concern stems from an excess number stretching past recent months attributed foremostly towards symptoms’ similarity with COVID-19 pandemics leading many people running scared because they lack accurate information carrying scientific consesus upon which informed decisions may manifest accurately.

That said,it’s crucial always practice healthy routines concerning germ prevention involving both parties and there’s no need for panic when properly informed. Keep your head up or rather your chin down ^(wink, wink).

Disclaimer

This article solely reflects the perspective of its author only as editor, Copyediting contributions appearing herein contradict or align with the views expressed herewith, depending on one’s opinion held at that time frame – in other words; take what you read with a pinch of salt.

References

[1]Shulman ST et al. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis: 2012 update by Infectious Diseases Society of America.ClinInfectDis .2012 Nov15;55(10):e86-102.

[2]Tina Hannagan.Microbial Flora Found in Saliva.Bionity [online]. September 22nd.Available from https://www.bionity.com/en/encyclopedia/Microbial_flora_found_in_saliva.html

[3]”Can You Get An STD From Kissing And What Are The Risks?”Condom Depot blog. April 14th 2020.Available from https://www.condomdepot.com/learn/blog/can-you-get-stds-from-kissing/

[4] Bryant AE , Stephens DS.Selected Virulence Factors and Complications.EmergInfec Dis.January (1998).

[5]John Rowney.“How clean is saliva?”The University Sydney News August 19 (2009)

[6]”Streptococcus infection”.MedlinePlus(American library medicine-National Institutes Health) Retrieved December24 (2021).

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