What are the symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease (STD)?
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Dr. Bonnie Lynn Wright of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:This is a trick question! This is the straight answer. For the most common STIs, there are no signs or symptom half the time. You get infected and don't know it. You pass it on to someone else and they don't know it. And so on, and so on, and so on. You don't get treated because you don't know you are infected. Years later, when you go to have a family, you can't because the untreated STI has made you infertile.
When you are lucky enough to get symptoms, what they are depends on the infection. Syphilis raises a chancre initially. Gonorrhea presents with a discharge. Chlamydia causes a burning sensation on urination. In some cases these symptoms will go away by themselves, leaving you to think you are OK. Until you go to have a family years later. You know that story already.
So instead of asking about symptoms, know about prevention because half the time knowing symptoms won't help.
- Use condoms ALL the time. Girls, carry them with you so he has no excuse for not using one. For same sex couples, exchange the he's and she's appropriately.
- If you think you have been exposed, get to the doctor for testing and treatment.
- Refrain from any sexual activity including petting and oral sex. This may not be a practical suggestion so see #1 and #2.
This is a trick question! This is the straight answer. For the most common STIs, there are no signs or symptom half the time. You get infected and don't know it. You pass it on to someone else and they don't know it. And so on, and so on, and so on.... More -
Paula Greer answered:If you are worried you have an STD because you are experiencing pelvic pain, a sore in the genital area or vaginal discharge or odor then you need to see a health care provider to have a full STD screen. Most of the time you are worried you already have an idea you may have had an exposure because there are trust issues with your partner and you had unprotected sex.
If you have concerns and you have no symptoms you still need to see your provider. Most STD's do not have symptoms and you could carry the disease and pass it on for quite a while before discovering you have it. Some STD’s have an initial symptom that disappears before you have it checked out and you mistakenly assume there wasn’t a problem.
It is a good idea to ask any new potential partner if they have ever had an STD and when the last time they were checked. Safe sex starts with choosing your partner wisely and then continuing to always carry a condom/ dental dam and protect yourself no matter what your new partner may tell you.
If you are worried you have an STD because you are experiencing pelvic pain, a sore in the genital area or vaginal discharge or odor then you need to see a health care provider to have a full STD screen. Most of the time you are worried you already... More
