STD symptoms: What are the early signs of an STD?

Overview: What does an STD feel or look like?

Sexually-transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections spread through sexual contact, including vaginal sex, oral sex, and anal sex. Also called sexually transmitted infections (STIs), they include bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. 

Each type of STD differs from the others. Some may have no symptoms or only mild ones. Some types of STDs can develop into severe and potentially life-threatening diseases. Although some are curable, others are not. The most common symptoms of an STD include blisters, bumps, rashes, or sores around the genitals or pubic area, discharge from the urethra or vagina, itching, and painful urination. See a doctor if any STD symptoms arise. Even if there are no symptoms, get screened for STDs, especially if there’s a high risk of exposure

What are the early signs of an STD?

The early signs of an STD will vary by infection. In many cases, an STD may not show any symptoms. In general, however, symptoms appear within one to four weeks of an infection, although the timeline of symptoms will depend on the type of STD.

Early signs of an STD may include:

• The appearance of bumps, rash, blisters, growths, or open sores on the genitals, scrotum, pubic area, anus, rectum, or the area between the anus and the genitals

• Painful or frequent urination

• Itching

• Discharge from the penis or vagina

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding

• Pelvic pain

• Testicular pain

• Flu-like symptoms

These early symptoms do not always indicate an STD. However, they are signs to get STD testing, particularly in people who engage in high-risk sexual activities, have multiple sex partners, or have unprotected sex. 

Other STD symptoms

STD symptoms will vary by the disease. Some infections are concentrated in the genital area and genital tract, but other infections may affect other parts of the body.

Chlamydia symptoms

Chlamydia, a bacterial infection, is the most common and widely-spread STD. Chlamydia often does not cause symptoms in men and women. When symptoms do appear, the most common are:

• Painful urination

• Vaginal bleeding

• Discharge from the vagina or penis

• Itching

Gonorrhea symptoms

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is the second most common STD. It is spread mainly through sexual contact and bodily fluids. Most people are asymptomatic and might not discover they’re infected until they’re tested, or they develop severe complications. When people do have noticeable symptoms, the most common are:

• Vaginal or penile discharge 

• Painful urination

• Pelvic pain

• Pain in the testicles

Syphilis symptoms

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is primarily spread through skin-to-skin contact during sex. The infection has four stages, including a latent stage in which the infection remains dormant in the body. However, not everyone who is infected will go through all stages. The most common symptoms of syphilis can vary depending on the stage of the disease and may include:

• Painless sores on the genitals, anus, or mouth

• Rash around the mouth, genitals, or anus 

• Fever

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Joint pain

• Feeling sick

• Loss of coordination

• Nerve pain

• Seizures

• Visual changes

• Hearing loss

• Cognitive decline

• Dementia

Genital herpes symptoms

Genital herpes is a common and contagious viral infection that can affect the genitals, buttocks, anus, and upper thighs. It’s caused by the herpes simplex virus. Many people have no symptoms or very mild symptoms, so they don’t know that they are carrying and spreading the virus. When symptoms appear, the most common are:

• Small, clear blisters on the genitals, pubic area, buttocks, anus, or inner thighs

• Itching, tingling, or burning

• Fever

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Pain during urination

Human papillomavirus (HPV) symptoms

HPV is another common and widespread STD that may cause no symptoms. HPV is a viral infection that is typically spread by skin-to-skin contact. Most infections are temporary and have mild symptoms. Some types of HPV can infect mucus membranes and are spread only by sexual contact. Although the infection clears on its own in most people, some types of HPV are chronic. It may also lead to cancer; more than 95% of cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV. The most common symptom of HPV is genital warts that can appear uneven or rough.

Trichomoniasis symptoms

Trichomoniasis is a common parasitic infection that is spread through sexual contact. In women, trichomoniasis typically causes symptoms in and around the vagina. In men, the parasite infects the urinary tract but usually has no symptoms. The most common symptoms of trichomoniasis are:

• Vaginal discharge

• Vaginal itching

• Vaginal odor

• Urethral discharge 

• Painful urination

• Pain during intercourse

HIV symptoms

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system, specifically the CD4 cells, which assist the body in fighting off infections and diseases. It is often spread through sexual contact and blood-to-blood contact. The initial infection usually has flu-like symptoms. As the disease progresses, it compromises the body’s ability to fight off infections, causing a medical condition called acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). People with AIDS are prone to opportunistic infections and certain types of cancer, such as Kaposi’s sarcoma.

Viral hepatitis symptoms

Viral hepatitis is a viral infection of the liver. There are three major types, all of which can be spread through sexual contact. Hepatitis A is typically spread through contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B and C are mainly transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids, such as blood, semen, or vaginal secretions. The most common symptoms of an acute hepatitis infection are:

• Fever

• Fatigue

• Abdominal pain

• Vomiting

• Dark urine

• Loss of appetite

• Pale or clay-colored stools

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

Pubic lice and scabies

Both pubic lice (“crabs”) and scabies are tiny parasitic insects that infest the pubic area or other parts of the body. Although they are not viruses or bacteria that cause infections, pubic lice and scabies are often lumped into the category of STDs because they are typically spread through sexual contact. Infestations are common (about 3 million people a year in the U.S. get pubic lice), but they are not a health threat. They can be treated with a special lotion or shampoo. The most common symptoms are itching, redness, and rash around the genital area.

STD vs. STI symptoms

Don’t be confused by the terms sexually transmitted disease (STD) and sexually transmitted infections (STI). The difference is technical, and most people use the terms interchangeably. A sexually transmitted infection is any infection primarily spread through sexual contact. A sexually transmitted disease is any sexually transmitted infection that causes symptoms or other problems. In essence, all STDs start as STIs, but not all STIs progress to become STDs.

Why is this relevant? Many sexually-transmitted infections like gonorrhea or chlamydia don’t cause symptoms or any other problems in the body for a long time if ever. But they are contagious. Therefore, the main goal of treating STIs is not only to manage the potential symptoms but to prevent their spread to other people.

When to see a doctor for STD symptoms

See a doctor when experiencing any STD symptoms. Even if the symptoms are mild, STDs can be spread to sexual partners. Many sexually-transmitted infections are symptomless but highly contagious. Some STDs have potentially serious or life-threatening complications. 

People at risk for STDs should see a healthcare provider for screening, even if there are no signs of an STD. Healthcare professionals may diagnose STDs based on symptoms, a complete medical history, blood tests, and urine tests.

Complications of STDs

STDs can cause complications even if there are no symptoms. The most common complications are:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease 

• Cervical, anal, and other types of cancer

• HIV/AIDS 

• Orchitis (inflammation of the testicles) 

• Epididymitis (inflammation of the tube at the back of the testicle that stores and carries sperm) 

• Proctitis (inflammation of the rectum) 

• Pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat) 

• Chronic hepatitis 

• Liver cancer 

• Heart disease 

• Cognitive impairment

• Mental health problems such as depression or anxiety

• Increased risk of contracting other STDs

• Infertility 

• Ectopic pregnancy 

• Complications during pregnancy and delivery, including neonatal herpes, premature labor, stillbirth, and low birth weight

• Infection in newborns

How to treat STD symptoms

Even if there are no symptoms, STDs should be diagnosed and treated by a healthcare professional. Like most infections, STDs are treated with prescription medications. 

• Bacterial infections and trichomoniasis are treated with antibiotics.

• Herpes, hepatitis, and HIV may be treated with antiviral medications that can help manage the disease. 

• HPV does not have a specific treatment for the virus. However, there are treatments for the health problems it may cause. For instance, genital warts caused by HPV can be treated with prescription topical medications or removed surgically. 

Living with an STD 

Bacterial STDs usually clear up with treatment, but viral STDs can be controlled but not cured. The infection could be lifelong, so take a few measures to stay healthy and prevent transmission:

• Learn as much as you can about the infection and how to care for yourself

• Take medications exactly as directed by a healthcare professional

• Tell your intimate partner or partners about your infection

• If they haven’t already, encourage your partner or partners to get STD testing

• Use condoms and other physically protective contraception to avoid spreading the infection

FAQs about STD symptoms

What are the 7 common STDs?

The most common types of STDs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, HPV, trichomoniasis, and HIV.

What is the easiest STD to cure?

Bacterial STDs can usually be cured with antibiotics when treated early. A single course of antibiotics can often effectively treat many bacterial and parasitic STDs, including gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.

What type of STD is hardest to treat?

Viral STDs, such as HIV, HPV, and genital herpes, are difficult to treat and cannot be completely eradicated from the body. However, the disease progression can be controlled with antiviral medications. While there’s no cure for these diseases, vaccines may be available for the prevention of some, like HPV and hepatitis B.

What’s next? Additional resources for people with STD symptoms

Test and diagnostics

• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) fact sheets, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• What are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or diseases (STDs), Urology Care Foundation-American Urological Foundation

Treatments

• Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2021, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Scientific studies and clinical trials

• Extragenital infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis Neisseria gonorrhoeae: a review of the literature, Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology