Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Sympoms..

 

Common STDs have a variety of symptoms (if symptoms develop at all) and many different complications, including death.  

Symptoms of STDs caused by bacteria:

Chancroid Symptoms

 •Are not common in the United States but common in developing countries.

•Symptoms include painful ulcers on the genitals.

•Can be confused with syphilis or herpes

•Is treatable with antibiotics

Chlamydia symptoms

 •Most common of all STDs caused by bacteria.

•Cause no symptoms in about 80% of women and 50% of men

•When symptoms are present, commonly there is discharge from the vagina or the penis, and burning or pain during urination.

•Is transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact

•Ectopic pregnancy and infertility for women are potential serious complications.

•Is treatable with antibiotics

 Gonorrhea symptoms

 •Discharge from the vagina or the penis

•Over 50% of infected women have no symptoms, but they can still transmit the disease to others.

•Painful urination

•Ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility for women, Fitzhugh-Curtis syndrome (perihepatitis) and death are potential serious complications.

•Is treatable with antibiotics  

Granuloma inguinale (donovanosis) symptoms

 •Not common in the U.S.

•Symptoms are painless genital ulcers in the groin area.

•Is treatable with antibiotics, usually for three or more weeks

Lymphogranuloma venereum

 •Not common in the U. S.

•Symptoms are abscesses (buboes) in the groin, rectum or other areas; fistulas that drain pus may occur and are treatable with antibiotics.

Syphilis

•Symptoms are mild and often go undetected initially

•Starts with a painless genital ulcer that goes away on its own

•Rash, fever, headache, achy joints

•Is treatable with antibiotics

•More serious complications associated with later stages of the disease if undetected and untreated

Symptoms of STDs caused by viruses

Genital herpes

 •Recurring outbreaks of blister-like sores on the genitals

•Can be transmitted from a mother to her baby during birth

•Reduction in frequency and severity of blister outbreaks with treatment but not complete elimination of infection.

•Can be transmitted by a partner who has herpes even if no blisters are present.

Genital warts

•Caused by a virus related to skin warts, human papillomavirus (HPV)

•Small, painless bumps in the genital or anal areas (sometimes in large clusters that look like cauliflower)

•Various treatments available (for example, freezing or painting the warts with medication)

•Vaccines are available against the most common types of HPV

Hepatitis

•Hepatitis B and D are most often associated with sexual contact, hepatitis A, C, E are less frequently transmitted by sexual contact.

•Both may be transmitted via contact with blood; for hepatitis B, sexual transmission is believed to be responsible for 30% of the cases worldwide.

•The hepatitis B virus can cause both an initial (acute) and a chronic form of liver inflammation. Only 50% of acute infections with the hepatitis B virus produce symptoms. The initial phase of infection lasts a few weeks, and in most people (90%-95%), the infection clears.

•Acute infection can cause yellowish skin and eyes, fever, achy, tired (flu-like symptoms).

•Severe complications in some people, including cirrhosis and liver cancer may occur in a small percent of individuals infected with HBV.

•Treatments are available and remission is possible with some aggressive medications.

•Immunizations are available to prevent hepatitis B.

HIV/AIDS

•Spread primarily by sexual contact and from sharing IV needles

•Can be transmitted at the time a person becomes infected with other STDs

•No specific symptoms or physical signs confirm HIV infection.

•The average time from infection to the development of symptoms related to immunosuppression (decreased functioning of the immune system) is 10 years.

•Fatigue, night sweats, chills, or fever lasting several weeks, headaches, and cough may occur a few weeks after contracting the virus initially.

•Serious complications of AIDS include unusual infections or cancers, weight loss, intellectual deterioration (dementia), and death.

•No current cure but medications are available to slow disease progression.

Molluscum contagiosum

 •Small (2-5mm) raised areas (papules) on the skin

•Contagious, usually by direct skin to skin contact

•Self-limited over months to years; treated with some topical creams

•Often cryotherapy (freezing) or surgical removal is performed

Symptoms of STDs caused by protozoan

Trichomonas

•Frothy vaginal discharge with a strong odor

•Treated with antibacterial/antiprotozoal medicines

 Symptoms of STDs* caused by fungi

Jock itch (genital itching or Tenia cruris)* (not always an STD)

 •Itchy groin skin, sometimes has a reddish color

•Is treated with topical antifungal medicines

Yeast infection (Candidiasis)* (not always an STD)

•Cheese-like vaginal discharge or whitish exudates sometimes with a reddish hue to the skin; it may occur around the foreskin of infected males; common symptoms are itching and burning sensation of the vagina or penis.

•Is treated with topical antifungal medicines in most cases

Symptoms of STDs caused by parasites

Pubic lice

•Very tiny bugs that are found in pubic hair, sometimes referred to as "crabs"

•Can be picked up from clothing or bedding

•First noticed as itching in the pubic area

•Are treatable with creams, anti-lice agents, and combing

Scabies

•Skin infestation caused by a tiny mite

•Highly contagious

•Intense itching is the primary symptom, which worsens at night

•Spread primarily by sexual contact or from contact with skin, infested sheets, towels, or furniture

•Is treated with creams