Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a serious health concern. They can cause long-term health problems, including infertility, and can even be life-threatening. It's important to be aware of the symptoms of STDs so that you can get tested and treated if necessary. Here are five common STDs and their symptoms. Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD in the United States.
It is mainly infected through vaginal or anal sex, but it can also be contracted through oral sex. Sometimes you'll notice strange discharge from your vagina or penis, or pain or burning when you urinate. But only about 25% of women and 50% of men have symptoms. Chlamydia is caused by bacteria, so it is treated with antibiotics.
After treatment, you should get tested again in one to three months, even if your partner has been treated. Gonorrhea is another common STD that is easily treated with antibiotics. It is spread through sexual contact from the penis or vagina. Symptoms may include unusual discharge, burning when you urinate, or a sore in the genital area. Many people are born with an infected mother's disease. Herpes is a serious virus that attacks the liver.
It is infected through vaginal or anal sex and can be transmitted even when an infected person has no symptoms. During an initial episode, you may have flu-like signs and symptoms, such as headache, muscle aches and fever, as well as swollen lymph nodes in your groin. Blisters can form, break, cause pain, and take weeks to heal. There is no known cure for HSV, but symptoms can be treated with antiviral medications. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral STD in the United States.
It is spread through skin-to-skin contact during sexual intercourse. Warts can form on the genitals or anus and may cause itching or burning. Effective vaccines since the 1990s have helped prevent this infection. Trichomoniasis is caused by a small parasite and is mainly found in young, sexually active women. It is spread through contact between the penis and the vagina.
Symptoms may include itching, burning, or pain in the genitals as well as a foul-smelling discharge. It is easily treated with antibiotics. If you or someone you know has symptoms of STDs, see a healthcare provider right away for testing and treatment. Knowledge is power when it comes to your sexual health - recognizing symptoms is a start but you won't always notice chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and other STDs without getting tested. The sooner treatment starts, the less antibiotics you need and the more quickly they take effect. If you are pregnant and have symptoms of STDs, contact your doctor immediately - STDs during pregnancy need to be addressed quickly to prevent problems for your baby.
If you've ever been treated for STDs, the CDC recommends that you get tested for HIV if you have any symptoms of STDs, even if you don't have a high risk of contracting HIV.
