STDs: Common Symptoms Center

STDs in Men

Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in men include painful urination, bumps or sores on the penis, and penile discharge and itching. Learn about the most common STDs in men.

Do Cold Sores Mean You Have an STD?

Having a cold sore does not necessarily mean you have an STD. Most cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which typically is not transmitted by sexual contact.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in women include gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, and HPV infection (genital warts). Learn about types, symptoms, and treatment.

What Is the Fastest Way To Get Rid of Genital Warts?

Genital warts or HPV (human papillomavirus) are very common. There is no cure but there are fast treatments to help get rid of them. Learn what they are. If you need to get tested for STDs but would rather not go to the doctor, you can test yourself using an at-home STD test.

Is It Genital Warts or Skin Tags?

How do I know if I have genital warts or skin tags? Learn about each condition and how to tell the difference. The 10 most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States include human papillomavirus (HPV), trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and more. STDs (STIs) are most likely to be spread by sexual contact including vaginal, anal or oral sex.

What Do Herpes Sores Look Like at Different Stages?

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) are the two types of herpes virus and will look different as they develop during five stages.

What Are the Top 10 STDs?

According to the American Social Health Organization, each year one out of four teens in the United States develops a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Half of all sexually active young adults get an STD by the age of 25 years.

What Diseases Can You Get from Restrooms and Sitting on a Toilet?

Germs in restrooms may concern you. You are not likely to catch a viral or bacterial disease on a toilet seat.

How Long Does It Take To Treat and Cure Syphilis?

Learn what medical treatments can help you treat syphilis and how long it takes to treat the infection to speed up your recovery.

Yeast infections vs. STDs in Men and Women

How Does a Man Know if He Has HPV?

What is HPV, and what does it look like in men? Learn how to recognize HPV, when to see your doctor for HPV, and how to prevent and treat HPV in men.

How Long Does It Take for Gonorrhea To Show up in Males?

What is gonorrhea and how do you know if you have it? Learn the signs of gonorrhea and what to do if you're dating someone who has it.

Can You Get Trichomoniasis Without Being Sexually Active?

Trichomoniasis is passed from an infected person to another primarily during sexual activity. In very rare cases, it can be transferred from an infected mother to her unborn child. Any sexual activity during vaginal, oral or anal sex can cause the infection to spread. Even if your partner has no symptoms, they can spread the infection.

Can I Get Any STDs Through Clothing?

Most sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) cannot be transmitted through clothing. Some such as pubic lice, scabies and molluscum contagiosum can be transmitted by sharing clothes with an infected person.

Can a Man Give a Woman Trichomoniasis?

Trichomoniasis or trich is caused by a tiny one-celled parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It lives in the genitals. It is transmitted usually during unprotected sexual activity. Yes, a man can infect a woman with trich.

How Long Does it Take for Gonorrhea to Show Up in Females?

What is gonorrhea and what are the symptoms of it? Learn the signs of gonorrhea and what to do if you have it.

Can I Get HIV From Surfaces?

Studies proved that HIV cannot be transmitted through surfaces such as toilet seats, chairs, doorknobs, drinking glasses and bedsheets. The virus cannot survive outside a human host; hence, transmission through air, water (swimming pools), insect bite or casual contacts such as handshake, hug or touch is not possible.

What Happens If Chlamydia Goes Untreated for a Long Time?

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease. If left untreated, chlamydia infection can cause serious harm to your health.

Can I Get STDs Through Casual Contact Like Hugging or Touching?

Most sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) do not spread through casual contact such as hugging, touching or kissing, although there are exceptions.

What Are the Symptoms of STD In Females?

Many women may not show any symptoms of STDs and may be unaware of the need for treatment.

How Bad Does It Hurt to Pee With Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and can be a cause painful urination.

Can You Get Rid of Crabs by Shaving?

Shaving pubic hair alone does not get rid of crabs or pubic lice. Crabs may cling and crawl to other body hair. Pubic lice are resilient creatures that can live on other parts of the body, including the armpits and eyelashes. The typical treatment for pubic lice is a lotion containing permethrin or pyrethrin/piperonyl butoxide.

What STDs Are Not Curable?

Nearly 26 million Americans reported having STDs in 2018. There are four sexually transmitted diseases that have no cure.

Can I Get HIV From Casual Contact Like Hugging or Touching?

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cannot spread through casual contact such as hugging or touching. HIV does not spread through urine, saliva, tears, sweat, kissing (closed mouth or social kissing), shaking hands, sharing utensils, sharing food or drinks, sharing clothes, or from toilet seats. HIV is spread through bodily fluids from a person with HIV.

When Should I Test for HIV?

The CDC recommends everyone between 13 and 64 should get tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at least once in their lifetime. If you've had unprotected sex with a new or multiple partners, pregnant women, intravenous drug users, are being treated for a STD, have tuberculosis, or hepatitis, are also reasons to get screened and tested.

How Effective Is a LEEP Procedure?

Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is used to remove abnormal or potentially cancerous regions in the cervix (mouth of the uterus). Research has shown that this procedure is as effective as other treatments (laser ablation, cold knife conization and cold therapy or cryotherapy) that are used to destroy or remove the suspicious areas in the cervix.

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Treatments

If you are diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), you must take and observe the following precautions.

How Do You Get Syphilis and What Does It Look Like?

What is syphilis, and how do you get it? Syphilis is a highly contagious disease. Learn about the symptoms, treatment, and prevention of this sexually transmitted infection,

What Is Sarsaparilla Used For?

Sarsaparilla is a plant of the genus Smilax and it belongs to the lily (Liliacae) family. Sarsaparilla is used for several purposes including skin conditions, infections and kidney diseases.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Pregnancy (STDs)

When you are pregnant, many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be especially harmful to you and your baby. These STDs include herpes, HIV/AIDS, genital warts (HPV), hepatitis B, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Symptoms include bumps, sores, warts, swelling, itching, or redness in the genital region. Treatment of STDs while pregnant depends on how far along you are in the pregnancy and the progression of the infection.

What Causes Sores on Your Genitals?

Genital sores or genital ulcers can occur because of several causes, the most common being sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Should I Take PrEP for HIV?

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a course of prescribed medications that people who are at risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may take to prevent infection. This medication is administered to individuals who have tested negative for HIV but are at a high risk of HIV infection.

What Does Chlamydia Do to a Woman?

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that poses risks for both men and women. Untreated chlamydia in women may cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or may harm an unborn baby.

What Are STDs?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are diseases that a person can get by having sex with someone who has an STD.

What Are the First Signs of HIV?

Initial signs and symptoms of HIV generally appear within two to four weeks of infection. Fever, body aches, muscle aches, chills, sore throat, headache, rash, night sweats, fatigue, mouth ulcers, and swollen lymph nodes (glands) are possible first signs and symptoms.

STD Symptoms for Women

Many women may not show any symptoms of STDs and may be unaware of the need for treatment. Women experiencing problems must seek gynecological advice.