Sexually Transmitted Diseases Symptoms

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

• Chlamydia
  
  
  • Most common of all STDs caused by bacteria
    
    
  • No symptoms in 80% of women and 50% of men
    
    
  • Discharge from the vagina or the penis, burning or pain during urination
    
    
  • Transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact
    
    
  • Ectopic pregnancy and infertility for women most serious complications 
    
    
  • Treatable with antibiotics
    
    

• Genital herpes: One type of herpes typically causes cold sores in the mouth, and another type causes genital sores; however, each type can cause either type of infection. 
  
  

  • Recurring outbreaks of blisterlike 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.

• Hepatitis (A, B, C, D)
  
  
  • Hepatitis B most often associated with sexual contact
    
    
  • Yellowish skin and eyes, fever, achy, tired, might feel like the flu
    
    
  • Severe complications, including cirrhosis and liver cancer
    
    
  • No cure available, remission possible with some aggressive medications
    
    
  • Immunizations available to prevent hepatitis A and B

• Gonorrhea
  
  
  • Discharge from the vagina or the penis
    
    
  • Painful urination
    
    
  • Ectopic pregnancy and infertility for women most serious complications
    
    
  • Treatable with antibiotics

• Syphilis
  
  
  • Mild symptoms, often goes undetected initially
    
    
  • Starts with painless genital ulcer that goes away on its own
    
    
  • Rash, fever, headache, achy joints
    
    
  • Treatable with antibiotics
    
    
  • More serious complications associated with later stages of disease if undetected and untreated

• Chancroid
  
  
  • Not common in the United States
    
    
  • Causes painful ulcers on the genitals
    
    
  • Can be confused with syphilis or herpes
    
    
  • Treatable with antibiotics

• 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
    
    
  • Fatigue, night sweats, chills or fever lasting several weeks, headaches, cough
    
    
  • No current cure and generally fatal, with death usually occurring after 2-3 years; medication available to slow disease progression

• Genital warts
  
  
  • Caused by a virus related to skin warts
    
    
  • Small, painless bumps in the genital or anal areas (sometimes in clusters that look like cauliflower)
    
    
  • Various treatments available (for example, freezing or painting the warts with medication)

• Pubic lice
  
  
  • Very tiny insects living in pubic hair
    
    
  • Can be picked up from clothing or bedding
    
    
  • First notice itching in the pubic area
    
    
  • Treatable with creams, anti-lice agents, and combing

• Scabies
  
  
  • Skin infection caused by a tiny mite
    
    
  • Highly contagious
    
    
  • Spread primarily by sexual contact or from contact with skin, infested sheets, towels, or furniture
    
    
  • Treatment with creams