Can you get strep throat from swallowing semen? i ask because every time i have oral sex with a new partner, i either get a sore or strep throat.

Indirectly: Strep throat is generally transmitted through ingesting infected oral secretions such as saliva (from kissing). Sore throats throats that develop strictly from oral sex alone should prompt an evaluation for a sexually transmitted infection other than Strep.

Won't get strep: You might want to think about barrier protection until you really know a guy -- the HIV risk is relatively small but probably real. More seriously, you're at risk for gonococcal pharyngitis, which can be very troublesome.