Different Types of STDs and the Symptoms To Know

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Signs And Symptoms Of STIs In Men

In some cases, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause no noticeable symptoms. When they do occur, STI symptoms in males can include discharge, bleeding, painful blisters, and more.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of STIs can be important. Early treatment can help prevent complications and prevent the infection from spreading to others.

STIs often cause no noticeable symptoms, so it is possible to have one without knowing it. It may also be easy to mistake STI symptoms for those of another issue.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms "male," "female," or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.

Chlamydia is a bacterial STI that passes from person to person through anal, oral, or vaginal sex without a condom or other barrier method. In a male, chlamydia can develop in the urethra, rectum, or throat.

Some call chlamydia a "silent" infection because people are often unaware that they have it. The majority of these infections in males cause no symptoms.

If symptoms do occur in males, they arise several weeks after the infection develops.

Common symptoms of chlamydia in the urethra include:

discharge from the penis

pain when urinating

burning or itching around the opening of the penis

pain and swelling in one or both testicles

Chlamydia in the rectum is less common and usually causes no symptoms, but it can cause:

rectal pain

bleeding

discharge

Oral chlamydia is generally asymptomatic, but may cause a sore throat.

Treatment

Treating chlamydia involves antibiotics. It may involve taking a single dose or a 7-day course of an antibiotic. Repeat infections are common so it is a good idea to have another test after completing the treatment.

Men's health resources

For more research-backed information and resources, visit our dedicated men's health hub.

Herpes is an infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of the virus, and they tend to affect different parts of the body:

HSV–1, also called oral herpes, causes cold sores in and around the mouth.

HSV–2 almost always passes on through sex without a condom or other barrier method and causes genital herpes. It may also past through skin-to-skin contact with areas that are infected.

Many people with herpes have no symptoms, and others may have difficulty identifying their symptoms. Mild herpes blisters can resemble insect bites, ingrown hairs, or razor burn.

If they do arise, the symptoms typically appear 2 days to 3 weeks after exposure to the infection.

Common symptoms of herpes in males include:

painful blisters or open sores in or around the mouth

blisters on the genitals, rectum, buttocks, or thighs

tingling, itching, or burning sensations around the blisters

body aches

a fever

a loss of appetite

swollen lymph nodes

Treatment

There is no cure for herpes, and outbreaks of symptoms can reoccur over time. Treatments focus on managing the symptoms and extending the time between outbreaks.

Gonorrhea is an infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. It often develops in the urethra, rectum, or throat, and the bacteria can transmit through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom.

Most males with gonorrhea have no symptoms. When gonorrhea in the urethra does cause symptoms, they usually appear within a week after the infection has developed.

Symptoms of gonorrhea in the urethral area in males include:

painful urination

white, yellow, or gray discharge from the urethra

pain in the testicles, though this is less common

Symptoms of a rectal infection may include:

itching and soreness in the anus

painful bowel movements

bloody discharge from the anus

Treatment

Healthcare professionals can treat gonorrhea with antibiotics. These can stop the infection from progressing, but they cannot reverse any damage already done.

For this reason, anyone with symptoms of the infection or likely exposure to it should see a healthcare professional for testing right away.

The medical community is becoming increasingly concerned about the rise of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea. This resistance makes successful treatment much more difficult, if not impossible.

Bacteria are also responsible for syphilis, which transmits through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom or other barrier method. It can also transmit through contact with an infected area.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) have a higher risk of contracting syphilis. According to WHO, 7.5% of MSM have syphilis compared to 0.5% of males in the general population.

Many people with primary syphilis do not notice symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they usually appear 10 to 90 days after infection, with 21 days being the average.

The symptoms of syphilis progress in stages known as primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Each stage has its own unique set of symptoms that can last for weeks, months, or even years.

The symptoms of primary syphilis include:

a small, firm sore where the bacteria initially entered the body, usually on the penis, anus, mouth, or lips

sores can also appear on the fingers or buttocks

swollen lymph nodes in the neck, groin, or armpits

Secondary syphilis can cause the following signs and symptoms:

skin rashes on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet

large gray or white lesions in the mouth, anus, armpit, or groin

fatigue

headaches

a sore throat

swollen lymph nodes

hair loss

muscle aches

The latent, or "hidden," stage of syphilis, during which there are no visible symptoms, can last for several years.

Tertiary syphilis is very rare. It can cause severe health complications that affect multiple organ systems. The symptoms of tertiary syphilis include:

meningitis

stroke

dementia

blindness

heart problems

numbness

psychiatric symptoms, such as confusion and personality changes

Treatment

A healthcare professional may recommend an antibiotic called benzathine penicillin G to treat primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis. People who are allergic to penicillin will need to use a different antibiotic, such as doxycycline or ceftriaxone.

Although antibiotics will prevent the infection from progressing, they cannot repair any permanent damage resulting from the infection.

HPV generally does not cause any symptoms. However, it can cause serious health issues even without symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 9 out of 10 cases of HPV clear on their own within 2 years without any adverse health issues. When it does not go away on its own, it can cause issues, such as warts or even certain types of cancer.

The type of HPV that causes warts is not linked with cancer, however.

Individuals should speak with a healthcare professional if they notice the following symptoms around their genitals, mouth, or throat:

unusual growths

warts

lumps

sores

HPV can spread without penetrative sex. It can also spread through skin-to-skin contact with infected areas and sharing sex toys.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for the HPV virus. However, treatment is available for the health issues it can cause. For example, genital warts are treatable with prescription medications.

HPV can also be preventable through getting vaccinated. The CDC recommends all children between the ages of 11 and 12 years old receive 2 doses of the HPV vaccine. If an individual is between the ages of 19 and 26, and has not received the vaccine, they can speak to their healthcare professional about getting it.

HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune cells. It spreads through some, but not all, bodily fluids, including semen, vaginal and anal fluids, and blood.

The most common methods of transmission in the U.S. Are through anal or vaginal sex, or sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-related equipment.

Many people with HIV experience flu-like symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks of developing the infection and may be mild or difficult to distinguish from conditions like the common cold. Common symptoms of HIV in males are:

a fever

a sore throat

a rash

headaches

Other symptoms may include:

fatigue

joint and muscle pain

swollen lymph nodes

nausea and vomiting

Treatment

While there is no cure for HIV, treatments can prevent symptoms and transmission. They can also keep the infection from progressing to stage 3 HIV (AIDS).

The treatments are called antiretroviral therapy, and they reduce the amount of the virus in the body. When the amount is so low that a test cannot detect it, this eliminates the risk of transmitting HIV.

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, often due to a viral infection. One of the most common hepatitis viruses is the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can pass on through blood, semen, and some other bodily fluids.

Healthcare professionals classify each HBV infection as either acute, meaning that it is temporary and will last for a few weeks and resolve on its own, or chronic, in which case it is a severe, long term condition.

Most people with hepatitis B have no symptoms. People with symptoms may easily mistake them for those of cold or flu, and they tend to appear about 90 days after the HBV infection develops.

Hepatitis B signs and symptoms include:

a fever

fatigue

a loss of appetite

abdominal pain

nausea

vomiting

muscle and joint pain

jaundice, which causes dark urine and yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes

A vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, and the WHO recommends that all infants receive 2 to 3 doses of this vaccine.

Treatment

There is currently no treatment for acute hepatitis B. Medications can treat chronic hepatitis B, and research in this area is ongoing.

People with chronic hepatitis B need regular checkups for signs of liver disease.

STIs often cause no symptoms in males.

Many STIs are treatable, and almost all are preventable.

People can prevent STIs by using barrier protection, such as condoms or dental dams, during sex. Also, vaccines can prevent some strains of HPV and hepatitis B.

Anyone who is sexually active and believes they may have ben exposed to an STI should seek medical attention.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

While talking about sexually transmitted diseases or STDs, one usually hears only about HIV/AIDS. But there are a host of STDs that can ruin one's system and health if a person gets infected with anyone of them. Even if they aren't as life threatening as AIDS they can do enough damage to the person's sexual health and general wellbeing. Here are the different types of STDs that one can get infected with:

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is caused due to bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. This infection can happen to both men and women and it has some serious consequences too. It can cause permanent damage to the reproductive organs of a woman and affect her chances of getting pregnant later if left untreated or ignored. During the initial days after being infected with the bacteria, there might be few or no symptoms to suggest the presence of the disease. The symptoms usually start to show one or three weeks post the bacterial attack. Remember, the signs are too mild in the beginning to even make you realize that you're infected.

You can get this infection by having anal, vaginal or oral sex with a person suffering from Chlamydia. Though it is more common in the genital tracts one can even get this infection in the rectal area too.

Symptoms of Chlamydia

In women, the infection can give rise to abnormal vaginal discharge, painful urination, pain during sexual intercourse and lower abdominal pain.

In men, the infection can cause testicular pain or swelling in the testis, painful ejaculation, discharge from the penis and burning sensation while urinating.

In case of a rectal infection there could be bleeding, discharge and rectal pain both in men and women.

If a woman is pregnant with the infection there is a fair amount of chance that she can spread the infection to her child during the time of birth.

Diagnosis and treatment

Chlamydia infection is tested either by taking a urine sample or by a vaginal swab. In general, it is treated with oral medications and certain precautions. Sexual intimacy should be avoided if you're taking medication for the same. Remember immunity from an STD is not expected after an infection. In fact, the chances of a successive infection only increases after the first bacterial attack. Hence people affected with this disease should go for a proper check up for any recurrence once in every three months, if one is sexually active.

Gonorrhea

This is another form of bacterial infection that affects the genital tracts of both men and women. The bacteria causing the infection can grow in moist and warm areas of the reproductive organs of a woman including the cervix, the fallopian tube and the urethra of both men and women. That's not all, sometimes the bacteria can also grow in the mouth, throat and anus regions. The symptoms of gonorrhea can either appear within a week after being infected or remain silent for months together before acting up.

Symptoms of gonorrhea

In women, it can cause abnormal menstrual bleeding, pain during urination, burning sensation in the vagina, lower abdominal or pelvic pain, spotting after intercourse and swelling in the genital tracts. Sometimes, it can also result in a throat infection if contacted during oral sex. At times it can also cause conjunctivitis.

In men, it can cause discharge from the penis, pain or a burning sensation during urination, swelling in the testicles and throat infection if transmitted through oral sex.

A pregnant mother can pass the infection to the baby during the birthing process if she is infected with the same.

Diagnosis and treatment

To diagnose the condition a swab might be taken from the genitals of a man and cervix of a woman. Sometimes, even a throat culture or anus culture is done to check if the infection has spread to those areas. Gonorrhea can be treated and cured either with oral medications or with antibiotic injections depending on the severity of the condition and your health care expert's diagnosis of the same.

Trichomoniasis

This sexually transmitted infection is usually spread by a microscopic one-celled parasite called the trichomonas vaginalis. The parasite usually infects the urinary tract of men and the vagina of the women. But this infection often remains silent for a long time before it calls for attention. When trichomoniasis causes symptoms it can range from mild irritation to severe inflammation of the genitals.

Symptoms of trichomoniasis:

In women itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals, discomfort during urination, and vaginal discharge with an unusual smell are seen.

In men, the symptoms can be that of itching or irritation inside the penis, burning after urination or ejaculation, or discharge from the penis.

In general, the infection can kill the appetite for sex and without treatment it can last for months or even years.

Diagnosis and treatment

Symptoms alone would not give your doctor an accurate diagnosis of the condition. A lab test of swabs taken from the genitals of both the men and women might be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. The infection can be treated with a single dose of antibiotic but is recurrent in nature. One in five people treated for the condition has a chance of getting this infection back. So if symptoms persist even after treatment it is wise to pay a visit to the doctor again.

Hiv Infection

This is undoubtedly the most deadly of all the sexually transmitted diseases. Till date prevention of HIV is being more stressed on as a definite cure for the same has not yet been ascertained. The HIV infection interferes with the body's ability to fight of viruses or bacteria effectively that can give rise to a disease causing the immune system to weaken. This leads to AIDS or acquired immune deficiency syndrome which is a chronic life threatening disease.

HIV doesn't present with any classical symptoms at the onset. But some people develop flu-like symptoms a fortnight after acquiring the infection. Also read 9 risk factors of HIV/AIDS.

Symptoms of HIV

Fever

Headache

Sore throat

Swollen lymph glands

Rashes

Extreme fatigue

These symptoms subside within a week or so and are mistaken for other viral infections. More persistent or severe symptoms of HIV infection may not appear for 10 years after the symptoms of the initial infection subside. As the infection continues to erode the immune system it gives rise to more prominent symptoms like:

Swollen lymph nodes — often one of the first signs of HIV infection

Diarrhea

Fever of high grade

Cough and shortness of breath

Persistent, unexplained fatigue

Soaking night sweats

Persistent headaches

Unusual, opportunistic infections

Diagnosis and treatment

Once the signs and symptoms of the infection are persistent your doctor might ask for a blood test if he is suspicious of the same. The count of CD4 T cells determines the severity and status of your health with the HIV infection. HIV doesn't have a definite cure, vaccinations for the same are still in the testing phase. Medications given to check the symptoms also have their own side effects. The best way to deal with HIV infection is to practice prevention.

Genital Herpes

This is a highly contagious viral infection that is caused due to a type of virus called the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The infection is usually spread by having vaginal, oral or anal sex with someone who already has the disease. Like other STDs the signs and symptoms of genital herpes go unnoticed or are very mild in the beginning. This infection can happen to both men and women in the genital areas. When the signs and symptoms of the infection present itself it can be painful and too irritable. Know more about the symptoms and causes of the same.

Symptoms of genital herpes

Small bumps or blisters or open sores appear to be in the genital, anal and nearby areas

There can be pain or itching around the genital area, buttocks and inner thighs too.

After sometime the ulcers can rupture and bleed.

In women, sores can rupture in the vaginal area, external genitals, buttocks, anus or cervix.

In men, sores can appear on the penis, scrotum, buttocks, anus or thighs, or inside the urethra, the tube from the bladder through the penis.

The sores can even happen in the mouth and skin too.

These ulcers can make it painful to urinate too.

Diagnosis and treatment

Often the symptoms present in the genital areas can help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis of the same. In case your doctor still needs confirmation, swabs from the sores or open ulcers can be sent to the lab to check for the infection. Genital herpes has no cure. Though medications are used to suppress the symptoms it doesn't provide complete cure. Sometimes a person can end up having recurrent infection too.

Genital Warts

This is again a very common and contagious form of sexually transmitted disease that is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Usually the warts may have no symptoms in the beginning. They infect the genital areas of both the men and the women alike.

Symptoms of genital warts

In women, genital warts can grow on the vulva, the walls of the vagina, the area between the external genitals and the anus, and the cervix.

In men, they may occur on the tip or shaft of the penis, the scrotum, or the anus.

Genital warts can also develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sex with an infected person.

The warts appear as small, flesh-colored or gray swellings in your genital area

Itching or discomfort in your genital area

Bleeding with intercourse

Diagnosis and treatment

At times the warts just go away on their own if the body is capable of fighting the virus else one might need medical help for the same. There are various treatment options available to remove and treat the warts. Remember even if the warts go away they can still return in the future because the treatment can take care of the warts but not the virus. So it is necessary to talk to your healthcare provider while choosing a treatment option to keep the infection at bay for long.

Syphilis

This is also a potent form of STD, which not only affects the genitals, but the skin, the mucous membranes and also other parts of the body, like the brain or the heart. It is spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex. Syphilis symptoms can occur in four stages.

Congenital syphilis happens when a pregnant woman passes the infection to her baby while birthing. Hence it is imperative that a woman gets treated for the same before planning a pregnancy.

Symptoms of syphilis:

The primary phase: The primary symptoms of the condition are presence of small, painless sore (chancre) on the part of the body where the infection was transmitted, usually the genitals, rectum, tongue or lips along with enlargement of lymph nodes. Though these symptoms disappear with no proper treatment but the underlying disease is still there.

The secondary phase: The secondary symptoms present itself after 10 days of the sores have appeared and are marked by red or reddish-brown, penny-sized sores over any area of your body, including the palms and soles; fever, fatigue and a vague feeling of discomfort accompanied with soreness and aching. These signs also disappear within a few weeks and remain absent for as long as a year.

The latent phase: The latent phase of the condition is the phase following the secondary phase which is silent and the person suffers from no symptoms of the disease as if nothing had really happened.

The tertiary phase: One can reach this phase if the previous symptoms were ignored and treatment was delayed. The tertiary symptoms usually mark neurological problems like stroke and infection and inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and the spinal cord (meningitis). It can also give rise to poor muscle coordination, numbness, paralysis, deafness or visual problems, dementia etc. Cardiovascular problems due to the disease can give rise to bulging and inflammation of the aorta and of other blood vessels. Syphilis may also cause valvular heart disease, such as aortic valve problems.

Diagnosis and treatment

Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics effectively. But if the condition has passed to the tertiary stages surgical intervention can be necessary to treat the complications of the condition. Though the treatment cannot undo the physical damage the virus has done. There is also a possibility that one can get the bout of infection back in the future.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis refers to a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver and can lead to complications that could be serious. There are chances of getting infected with hepatitis A, B and C during a sexual intercourse, as the virus can be transmitted from an infected person to another through blood or other body fluids. Though, a hepatitis infection can be transmitted by other means also like using unsterilized injections, blood transfusion, bad hygiene habits etc.

Symptoms of hepatitis:

The symptoms with hepatitis A, B or C appear to be similar but are more potent and life threatening with the last two. In case of Hepatitis B the symptoms appear to be chronic and can lead to permanent damage of the liver if treatment is delayed or ignored. With hepatitis C delayed treatment or diagnosis can lead to chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis or even liver cancer. The symptoms that one can suffer from due to a hepatitis infection are:

Shortness of breath

Flu-like symptoms

Nausea,

Vomiting,

Diarrhea,

Weight loss,

Jaundice marked with yellowish colour in the white areas of the eyes with pale colour urine and faeces.

Diagnosis and treatment

There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis A virus, though there are vaccinations available to provide protection from the same. Most people fight off the virus naturally or with the help of antiviral drugs prescribed, returning to full health within a couple of months. The doctor would advise avoiding alcohol and fatty foods as these can be hard for the liver to process and may exacerbate the inflammation.

In case of a mild hepatitis B infection little medical help in form of corrective lifestyle changes, hygiene and medications would be needed to fight the infection. Antiviral medications are prescribed to those with chronic symptoms to help prevent further liver damage. These medications may be injected or given in pill form. Vaccinations for hepatitis B are given in the form of injection over a period of three or six months to provide protection from the same.

There are no vaccinations to prevent hepatitis C infection, though drugs like antiviral medications are used to treat the symptoms of the condition. Even with developments in the field of science and medicine the success rate of such treatment is very low. Prevention is the best resort in such a case. Know more about the potent hepatitis C disease.

Prevention

Though not all STDs are potent, they do alter a person's life in one way or the other if infected. It is important to prevent the occurrence of a STD. Here is what you can do to prevent the same:

Practice safe sex. Use condoms every time you have intercourse and dental dams during oral sex.

Avoid having sex with multiple partners. This can increase your chance of getting infected with an STD if one of your partners has one.

If you are diagnosed with a STD refrain from sexual activity while you are treated. Some of the STDs have no cure and it is better to refrain from sex if you are infected with one. Else talk to your partner and a sex therapist to explore your options.

Never neglect treatment. Remember if you have been infected with a type of STD your chances to get another type of STD infection is very high. So get treated soon and follow proper instructions.

Maintain proper hygiene and sanitation. This is more needed to restrict the spread of the disease from the genital areas to other parts of the body in an infected person that transmitting it to the partner.

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