Sexually transmitted infections, STIs, can be passed from one partner to the other during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The symptoms of sexually transmitted infections, STI, can include:
- an unusual discharge from the vagina, or penis,
- a burning sensation when urinating,
- pain during sex, and
- itching, rashes, or lumps, around the genitals.
Sometimes the symptoms of sexually transmitted infections may not appear until months after you become infected, and some STIs have no symptoms at all. Even without symptoms, an STI may be damaging your reproductive system. You may also be passing it on to your sexual partners. For an image of a female with Syphilis infection, please click here
STI testing is very important
Most sexually transmitted infections are treatable. If you think that you may have a STI, it is very important that you are tested at your doctor’s surgery, or a local genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic.
When you go to your doctor’s surgery, or GUM clinic to be tested, make sure that you tell your doctor, or practice nurse, about the symptoms that you have been experiencing. They may ask you questions about your sexual activity and partners. This is not something to be embarrassed about. Your doctor, or practice nurse needs to know this information so that you can be given the most appropriate treatment.
When being tested for a STI, you may have to have a series of tests before you can be given treatment. This is so that your doctor can confirm your diagnosis. If you feel worried or concerned about a test, you may want to bring a friend or a trusted family member with you for support.
How STI is transmitted
If a person has a sexually transmitted infection (STI), it may be passed on to their partner during sexual contact. STIs can be passed on regardless of your age or sexuality.
Different infections are spread in different ways, but many are usually passed on through sexual intercourse, such as vaginal, anal or even oral sex, as in the case of herpes. Even if a man does not ejaculate during sexual intercourse, you can still catch an STI if they are infected.
It is also possible to contract an STI without having full sex; many STIs can be passed on just through genital contact, such as when the penis touches the vagina or anus. Sharing sex toys can spread STIs in the same way.
Some sexually transmitted infections, such as pubic lice, can be passed on through skin contact alone, or by sharing towels or flannels.
The best way to avoid catching an STI is to always use a barrier method of contraception (such as the male condom) even during oral sex.
If you think you may have an STI, visit your doctor or a local genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic for a sexual health check.
When STI symptoms appear
How soon sexually transmitted infections symptoms appear depends on which STI you are infected with. Some STIs have few or no symptoms. This is why it is important to practise safe sex and if you are worried about having caught an STI, visit your doctor or sexual health clinic.
Chlamydia is sometimes called the silent disease because of the lack of specific symptoms. You may have a few general symptoms such as pelvic pain or cystitis (in women) or swollen testicles (in men), but it is hard to spot otherwise.
Symptoms of genital herpes usually appear within a week after contact with an infected person. A red, painful rash appears on the genitals or nearby. The rash soon becomes blisters and the blisters burst, releasing fluid.
Genital warts can take a very long time to appear. Months or even years can pass between the time a person is infected with the virus and the time noticeable warts can be seen in the genital area. In women they can also appear inside the vagina and on the cervix, where you cannot see them.
With syphilis, an ulcer or ulcers appear where the bacteria first entered the body, typically two to three weeks after infection. The ulcers or sores are usually on the genitals, but can also appear around the mouth and anus.
Symptoms of gonorrhoea in both men and women usually appear between one and fourteen days after infection. However, up to half of all women (and 10% of men) who contract gonorrhoea do not experience any symptoms. Symptoms can include green or yellow discharge (from the vagina or penis), irritation or discharge from the anus, and abdominal or testicular pain.
The redness, irritation and discharge associated with thrush usually appears two to five days after exposure.
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