Sexually transmitted infections are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. They are also referred to as sexually transmitted diseases or venereal diseases. There are nearly 20 known types of sexually transmitted infections. Many of these infections are treatable.
The most common symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases
In men:
- Burning or itching in the genital area
- Unusual discharge
- Pain in the pelvic region
- Sores, lumps, or swelling on the penis, anus, or in the mouth
- Pain or discomfort during urination
- Frequent urge to urinate
Symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in women
- Burning or itching in the genital area
- Abnormal vaginal discharge or unpleasant odor
- Pelvic pain
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Sores or swelling in the genital area
- Burning or pain during urination or bowel movements
- Frequent urge to urinate
Asymptomatic Sexually Transmitted Infections
Many sexually transmitted infections have no symptoms. Even if there are no symptoms, someone with a sexually transmitted infection can still pass the infection on to someone else during sexual intercourse. For this reason, it is important to protect yourself against these infections and get tested regularly. If you have an infection, it should be treated promptly.
Sexually transmitted infections include:
- Chlamydia tr.
- Mycoplasma hom/gen
- Ureaplasma parvum/urealyticum
- Gardnerella vag.
- N. Gonorrhea
- Herpes II
- Treponema pallidum (Syphilis)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- CMV
- Trichomonas vaginalis
- HIV
Chlamydia symptoms
Chlamydia is an infection of the genital tract. It is often difficult to detect in the early stages because symptoms are mild or may be completely absent. Symptoms may appear 1–3 weeks after infection and can be mild or short-lived.
Common symptoms include:
- Painful urination
- Lower abdominal pain
- Vaginal discharge in women
- Penile discharge in men
- Pain during sexual intercourse in women
- Bleeding between menstrual cycles in women
- Testicular pain in men
If left untreated, chlamydia may lead to:
- Infections of the urethra, prostate, or testicles
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Infertility
If an untreated chlamydia infection is present during pregnancy, it can be transmitted to the baby during childbirth. In newborns, it may cause:
- Pneumonia
- Eye infections
- Blindness
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection of the genital tract. The bacteria can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus. The first symptoms of gonorrhea usually appear about 10 days after infection. However, some people may be infected for months before any symptoms appear.
Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea include:
- Thick, cloudy, or bloody discharge from the penis or vagina
- Pain or burning sensation during urination
- Heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding between menstrual periods
- Painful or swollen testicles
- Anal itching
If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to:
- Infections of the urethra, prostate, or testicles
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Infertility
Gonorrhea can also be transmitted from mother to baby during childbirth. In such cases, it may cause serious health complications in the newborn. For this reason, many healthcare providers recommend that pregnant women be screened and treated for possible sexually transmitted infections.
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is an infection caused by a microscopic single-celled parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. This organism is spread through sexual contact with someone who is infected. The organism usually infects the urinary tract in men, but often has no symptoms. Trichomoniasis usually infects the vagina in women. It takes about 5 to 28 days for symptoms of trichomoniasis to appear after infection. Symptoms can range from mild irritation to severe inflammation.
Signs and symptoms:
- Clear, white, greenish, or yellowish vaginal discharge
- Discharge from the penis
- Strong vaginal odor
- Vaginal itching or irritation
- Itching or irritation inside the penis
- Pain during sex
- Painful urination
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is a highly contagious infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which enters the body through small breaks in the skin or mucous membranes. Many people with HSV are unaware they are infected, as they may have no symptoms, or the symptoms may be so mild that they go unnoticed. When symptoms do occur, the first outbreak is usually the most severe. Some individuals may never experience a second outbreak, while others may have recurrent episodes over many years.
Possible symptoms include:
- Small red bumps, blisters (vesicles), or open sores (ulcers) in and around the genital and anal areas
- Pain or itching in the genital region, groin, or inner thighs
- Painful urination caused by ulcers
- Genital pain and tenderness until the infection resolves
- Flu-like symptoms during the initial outbreak, such as headache, muscle aches, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the groin area
In some cases, the infection can still be active and contagious even when no visible sores are present.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection and Symptoms of Genital Warts
HPV infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Certain types of HPV can increase the risk of cervical cancer in women, while other types cause genital warts. HPV usually does not cause any signs or symptoms.
The symptoms of genital warts may include:
- Small, flesh-colored or gray swellings in the genital area
- Several warts clustered together with a cauliflower-like appearance
- Itching or discomfort in the genital region
- Bleeding during sexual intercourse
Genital warts often do not cause any symptoms. They can be as small as 1 millimeter in diameter or may grow in large clusters.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C are infectious viral infections that affect the liver. Hepatitis B and C are the most serious forms, although all types can cause inflammation of the liver. Some people do not experience any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they usually appear several weeks after infection. These may include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain or discomfort, especially on the right side of the abdomen under the lower ribs (liver area)
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Dark urine
- Muscle or joint pain
- Itching
- Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Syphilis
Syphilis is a bacterial infection. The disease commonly affects the genital area, skin, and mucous membranes, but it can also involve many other parts of the body, including the brain and heart. The signs and symptoms of syphilis may occur in three stages: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Some people may have latent syphilis, where blood tests are positive for the bacteria but no symptoms are present. In the early stage, a small, painless sore (chancre) appears at the site of infection. This is usually found on the genitals, rectum, tongue, or lips. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:
- A rash marked by reddish or reddish-brown spots, which can appear anywhere on the body, including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fatigue and a general feeling of malaise
- Body aches
If left untreated, syphilis bacteria can spread throughout the body and may lead to serious damage to internal organs and even death years after the initial infection.
Some signs and symptoms of late-stage syphilis include:
- Loss of coordination
- Fatigue
- Paralysis
- Blindness
- Dementia
There is also congenital syphilis, which occurs when an infected pregnant woman passes the disease to her unborn baby. Congenital syphilis can cause disability in the child and may even be life-threatening. Therefore, treatment of syphilis during pregnancy is essential.
HIV/AIDS
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a viral infection that weakens the body’s immune system, making it harder to fight infections caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Over time, untreated HIV can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a chronic and life-threatening condition.
When a person is first infected with HIV, they may not experience any symptoms. Some individuals develop flu-like symptoms within 2 to 6 weeks after infection. The only reliable way to know if you have HIV is through testing.
Early signs and symptoms:
The early symptoms of HIV usually last from one week to one month and often resemble other viral infections. During this stage, the virus is highly contagious. More persistent or severe symptoms may not appear until 10 years or more after the initial infection.
Early symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Rash
- Fatigue
As the virus continues to multiply and destroy immune cells, mild infections and ongoing symptoms may develop, such as:
- Swollen lymph nodes (often one of the first signs of HIV infection)
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Shortness of breath and cough
Late-stage HIV infection:
Signs and symptoms of advanced (late-stage) HIV infection include:
- Persistent, unexplained fatigue
- Night sweats
- Fever above 38.4°C lasting for several weeks
- Swollen lymph nodes for more than three months
- Chronic diarrhea
- Persistent headaches
