1. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Quiz on STDs

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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Common STDs have a variety of symptoms (if symptoms develop at all) and many different complications, including death.

Symptoms of STDs caused by bacteria

Chancroid Symptoms

• Are not common in the United States but common in developing countries.
• Symptoms include painful ulcers on the genitals.
• Can be confused with syphilis or herpes
• Is treatable with antibiotics

Chlamydia symptoms

• Most common of all STDs caused by bacteria.
• Cause no symptoms in about 80% of women and 50% of men
• When symptoms are present, commonly there is discharge from the vagina or the penis, and burning or pain during urination.
• Is transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact
• Ectopic pregnancy and infertility for women are potential serious complications.
• Is treatable with antibiotics

Gonorrhea symptoms

• Discharge from the vagina or the penis
• Over 50% of infected women have no symptoms, but they can still transmit the disease to others.
• Painful urination
• Ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility for women, Fitzhugh-Curtis syndrome (perihepatitis) and death are potential serious complications.
• Is treatable with antibiotics, but many strains are becoming resistant to most antibiotics.

Granuloma inguinale (donovanosis) symptoms

• Not common in the U.S.
• Symptoms are painless genital ulcers in the groin area.
• Is treatable with antibiotics, usually for three or more weeks

Lymphogranuloma venereum

• Not common in the U.S.
• Symptoms are abscesses (buboes) in the groin, rectum or other areas; fistulas that drain pus may occur and are treatable with antibiotics.
• This disease is treated with antibiotics.

Syphilis

• Symptoms are mild and often go undetected initially
• Starts with a painless genital ulcer that goes away on its own
• Rash, fever, headache, achy joints
• Is treatable with antibiotics
• More serious complications associated with later stages of the disease if undetected and untreated

Symptoms of STDs caused by viruses

Genital herpes

• Recurring outbreaks of blister-like sores on the genitals
• Can be transmitted from a mother to her baby during birth
• Reduction in frequency and severity of blister outbreaks with treatment but not complete elimination of infection.
• Can be transmitted by a partner who has herpes even if no blisters are present.

Genital warts

• Caused by a virus related to skin warts, human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Small, painless bumps in the genital or anal areas (sometimes in large clusters that look like cauliflower)
• Various treatments available (for example, freezing or painting the warts with medication)
• Vaccines are available against the most common types of HPV

Hepatitis

• Hepatitis B and D are most often associated with sexual contact, hepatitis A, C, E are less frequently transmitted by sexual contact.
• Both may be transmitted via contact with blood; for hepatitis B, sexual transmission is believed to be responsible for 30% of the cases worldwide.
• The hepatitis B virus can cause both an initial (acute) and a chronic form of liver inflammation. Only 50% of acute infections with the hepatitis B virus produce symptoms. The initial phase of infection lasts a few weeks, and in most people (90% to 95%), the infection clears.
• Acute infection can cause yellowish skin and eyes, fever, achy, tired (flu-like symptoms).
• Severe complications in some people, including cirrhosis and liver cancer may occur in a small percent of individuals infected with HBV.
• Treatments are available and remission is possible with some aggressive medications.
• Immunizations are available to prevent hepatitis B.

HIV/AIDS

• Spread primarily by sexual contact and from sharing IV needles
• Can be transmitted at the time a person becomes infected with other STDs
• No specific symptoms or physical signs confirm HIV infection.
• The average time from infection to the development of symptoms related to immunosuppression (decreased functioning of the immune system) is 10 years.
• Fatigue, night sweats, chills, or fever lasting several weeks, headaches, and cough may occur a few weeks after contracting the virus initially.
• Serious complications of AIDS include unusual infections or cancers, weight loss, intellectual deterioration (dementia), and death.
• No current cure but medications are available to slow disease progression.

Molluscum contagiosum

• Small (2 to 5mm) raised areas (papules) on the skin
• Contagious, usually by direct skin to skin contact
• Self-limited over months to years; treated with some topical creams
• Often cryotherapy (freezing) or surgical removal is performed

Must Read Articles Related to Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Cervicitis Cervicitis is an infection of the lower genital tract (inflammation of the cervix). Cervicitis may be caused by STD's or injuries to the cervix. Cervicitis symp...learn more >>

Chlamydia Chlamydia is a sexual transmitted disease (STD) transmitted when people have sexual relations. Often, there are no symptoms. Chlamydia is caused by the bacteriu...learn more >>

Crabs Crabs (pubic lice) is a parasitic infection. Causes of crabs include sexual contact with an infected person, contaminated towels, bedding, or clothing. The main...learn more >>

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