Common STD Symptoms
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be difficult to identify, mainly because they can cause a wide variety of ambiguous symptoms. Some telltale signs range from painful urination to genital itching to fever. But, there are often no symptoms at all.
Here are some of the most common STDs, along with a description of the symptoms each may produce:
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) – There are more than 100 different types of HPV, most of which have no symptoms. Even so, it is still possible to infect others through sexual contact. Some strains of HPV produce genital warts, while others can cause cervical cancer.
- Chlamydia – Chlamydia can cause an unusual genital discharge or painful, burning sensations during urination. In women, chlamydia can also cause lower back or abdominal pain, nausea, pain during sexual intercourse, or bleeding in between menstrual periods.
- Genital herpes – Herpes can cause pain, blisters, and sores to develop around the genitals and anus. After an initial infection, genital herpes remains dormant in the body, and its symptoms can recur for many years. Usually, the first outbreak is the worst, with future episodes tending to resolve more quickly.
- Gonorrhea – Gonorrhea can cause an unusual discharge from the penis or vagina, painful urination, swollen testicles (in men), and bleeding in between menstrual periods (in women).
- Hepatitis B – A hepatitis B infection can cause joint pain, a hive-like rash, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headaches, fever, dark urine, jaundice, and liver enlargement.
- Bacterial vaginosis (BV) – Bacterial vaginosis occurs in women when the levels of “good” and “harmful” bacteria in the vagina become unbalanced. BV can be accompanied by an unusual vaginal discharge, a strong odor, painful urination, itching, and burning.
- Pubic lice – Often referred to as “crabs,” pubic lice can cause itching, blue spots, and sores in the genital region. Gray-white lice or hair nits (the egg form of pubic lice) may also be visible.
STDs are very common, so it’s important to protect yourself. While learning about the symptoms is a good place to start, you should also use condoms during sexual activity (or abstain) and be tested regularly if you’ve been exposed. If you do contract an STD, early detection and appropriate treatment are key to ensure a safe and fast recovery, and to keep you as comfortable as possible in the meantime.
If you have questions about STDs or would like to be tested, you can contact or visit South Tampa Immediate Care in Tampa, FL.