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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Sexually transmitted diseases have a wide range of symptoms. The signs and symptoms listed here are the most common, but they occur in different combinations with different infections. The timelines from infection to symptoms — and from initial infection to advanced disease — also vary from disease to disease.

The first signs and symptoms of some STDs, occurring shortly after you're exposed to a sexually transmissible agent, are known as primary or acute infection.

Primary infection symptoms

  • May go unnoticed
  • A sore or a cluster of sores or bumps, with or without pain, on the genitals or in the oral or rectal area
  • Painful or burning urination
  • Discharge from the penis
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Unusual vaginal bleeding
  • Sore, swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the groin but sometimes more widespread
  • Fever and other flu-like symptoms
  • Appear a few days to three months after exposure, depending on the organism
  • May be attributed to a noninfectious cause, such as a cold, fatigue or skin irritation
  • May resolve in a few weeks, even without treatment, but progression with later complications — or recurrence — usually occurs (Transmission of some STDs may still be possible during this period.)

Advanced disease: Months to years after primary infection

  • Sores or bumps anywhere on the body
  • Recurrent genital sores
  • Generalized skin rash
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Scrotal pain, redness and swelling
  • Pelvic pain
  • Groin abscess
  • Infections associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  • Infertility
  • For some infections, neurological or cardiovascular problems
  • Cancer

When to see a doctor
See a doctor immediately if you are sexually active and you:

  • Find out your sex partner has an STD
  • Believe you may have been exposed to an STD
  • Develop a genital sore or rash
  • Have a discharge from the vagina or penis
  • Have pain or a burning sensation when you urinate
  • Have swollen or tender lymph nodes in your groin

Make an appointment with a doctor for STD counseling and, if appropriate, for screening tests:

  • When you consider becoming sexually active, or when you're 21, whichever comes first
  • Before you start having sex with a new partner
  • When you're concerned about possible exposure to STDs in your past
Causes Definition
References
  1. Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 31st ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders; 2007.
  2. Swygard H. Screening for sexually transmitted diseases. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
  3. Holmes KK. Sexually transmitted infections: Overview and clinical approach. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.:  McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008.  http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2893718. Accessed Jan. 15, 2009.
  4. Global strategy for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections: 2006-2015. Breaking the chain of transmission. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/stisstrategy/index.html. Accessed Jan. 15, 2009.
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  8. CDC fact sheet: Syphilis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/Syphilis/syphilis-fact-sheet.pdf. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
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  11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2006. MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2006;55:2. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5511a1.htm. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
  12. CDC fact sheet: Bacterial vaginosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/BV-Fact-Sheet.pdf. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
  13. CDC fact sheet. PID (pelvic inflammatory disease). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/PID/pid-fact-sheet.pdf. Accessed Feb. 9, 20009.
  14. CDC fact sheet. Trichomoniasis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/Trichomoniasis/trichomoniasis-fact-sheet.pdf. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
  15. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Shigella flexneri serotype 3 infections among men who have sex with men - Chicago, Illinois, 2003-2004. MMWR. 2005;54:820. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5433a2.htm. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
  16. Quick answers: Sexually transmitted diseases. McGraw Hill's Access Medicine. http://www.accessmedicine.com/popup.aspx?aID=3271836. Accessed Feb. 5, 2009.
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  19. Ward H. Prevention strategies for sexually transmitted infections: Importance of sexual network and epidemic phase. Sexually Transmitted Infections. 2007;83:i43. http://sti.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/83/suppl_1/i43. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
  20. Trends in reportable sexually transmitted diseases in the United States, 2007. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats07/trends.htm. Accessed Jan. 28, 2009.
  21. Arrington-Sanders R, et al. Sexually transmitted diseases in adolescents. In: Klausner JD, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw Hill Companies; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3026189. Accessed Jan. 28, 2009.
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  23. Peterman TA. Partner notification and management. In: Klausner JD, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw Hill Companies; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/popup.aspx?aid=3026470. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
  24. Klausner JD. The sexual history. In: Klausner JD, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw Hill Companies; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/popup.aspx?aid=3026901. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
  25. Safer sex ("Safe sex"). Planned Parenthood. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/stds-hiv-safer-sex/safer-sex-4263.htm. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
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  27. Viral hepatitis: A through E and beyond. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/viralhepatitis/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 20, 2009.
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  30. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Revised recommendations for HIV testing of adults, adolescents, and pregnant women in health-care settings. MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2006;55:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5514a1.htm?s_cid=rr5514a1_e. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
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Feb. 25, 2009

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