HIV and hepatitis are the two STDs most commonly associated with cold and flu-like symptoms, but there is one more that could look like gonorrhea if left untreated. Some symptoms of STDs can be very similar to those of a cold or the flu, making it difficult to diagnose yourself. Tami Prince, gynecologist and obstetrician and owner of the Women's Health and Wellness Center of Georgia, LLC, explains to Elite Daily: The common cold, also known as upper respiratory tract infection (URI), is caused by rhinovirus, so any STDs that are also caused by a virus can mimic cold symptoms. Dr.
Cindy Duke, obstetrician and gynecologist and medical director of the Nevada Fertility Institute, says that HIV-like symptoms such as high fever, sore throat, headaches and muscle or joint pain, and a red rash on the body can be indicative of an STD. It's important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other illnesses such as the common cold or the flu. If you have flu-like symptoms and are sexually active, it is important to get tested for STDs. According to the American Sexual Health Association, one in two sexually active adults gets an STD before age 25, yet fewer than 15 percent of young adults get tested for STDs regularly.
He adds that the sexually transmitted disease most likely to resemble a cold is actually HIV, but that others such as hepatitis may have similar symptoms. It's not uncommon to get an STD without realizing it, especially since many STDs have no detectable symptoms.
