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Symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
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One partner can expose you to many diseases. You are at risk of getting all of the STIs that
your partner's past and present partners have had. |
sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases that you get by having sexual contact (vaginal, oral, or anal) with someone who already has an STI. STIs are the most common infectious diseases in the United States. They are caused by many different types of bacteria and viruses. There are more than 25 STIs that affect both men and women. Symptoms of the most common STIs are listed below.
Crabs
Chlamydia
Genital Herpes
Gonorrhea
Hepatitis B or HBV
Hepatitis C or HCV
HIV/AIDS
Human Papillomavirus or Genital HPV
Syphilis
Trichomoniasis
Crabs (say: krabz) : Small parasites that feed on human blood. Also known as pubic lice. ![]() |
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Symptoms | How do women get it? | Testing and Treatment |
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Testing: You can usually see the crabs yourself, if you look closely enough. Your doctor may need to use a microscope. Treatment:
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Chlamydia (say: kluh-mid-ee-uh): A common STI caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis (say: kluh-mid-ee-uh tre-ko-met-es). This can damage your reproductive organs. Women who have chlamydia are up to five times more likely to become infected with HIV, if they are exposed to the virus. ![]() |
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Symptoms | How do women get it? | Testing and Treatment |
Many do not have symptoms, but those that do can have:
If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1-3 weeks after exposure. Even if there are no symptoms, without treatment the infection can spread from your cervix to your uterus and fallopian tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID may or may not have symptoms. Some symptoms:
Over time, PID can result in chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. |
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Testing: A urine test or by taking a specimen from the infected area can determine if you have Chlamydia. Treatment:
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Genital Herpes (say: jen-ih-tul her-peez): An STI caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). ![]() |
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Symptoms | How do women get it? | Testing and Treatment |
Most people do not know they have genital herpes unless they start developing blisters. After exposure to genital herpes, you often start seeing symptoms within two weeks, typically on or around the genital area or rectum. Symptoms can be:
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Testing: Your doctor may be able to see sores. If not, a blood test is usually done. Treatment:
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Gonorrhea (say: gan-e re-uh): An STI caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae (say: ni-sir-e-uh gan-e-re-ae) that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, urethra, and fallopian tubes inside of you. Having gonorrhea can make you more likely to become infected with HIV, if you are exposed to the virus. ![]() |
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Symptoms | How do women get it? | Testing and Treatment |
Most who are infected have no symptoms. If they have symptoms, they are often mild and may be mistaken for a bladder or other vaginal infection. Symptoms may include:
Gonorrhea infection can also be present in the anus or rectum. Symptoms of rectal infection include:
Gonorrhea infection can also be present in the throat, which may cause a sore throat. Untreated gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can result in chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, or infertility. When left untreated, gonorrhea can also spread to the blood or joints, which can be life threatening. |
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Testing: A urine test or by taking a specimen from the infected area can determine if you have gonorrhea. Treatment:
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Hepatitis B (say: hep-uh-tyt-is B): A serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. Also called HBV. ![]() |
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Symptoms | How do women get it? | Testing and Treatment |
You may have symptoms including:
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Testing: A blood test can determine if you have Hepatitis B. Treatment:
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Hepatitis C (say: hep-uh-tyt-is C): A disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). ![]() |
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Symptoms | How do women get it? | Testing and Treatment |
You may have symptoms including:
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Testing: A blood test can determine if you have Hepatitis C. Treatment:
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HIV/AIDS (say: H-I-V ayds): Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV – say: hyu-men im-yu-no-di-fish-un-see vi-res) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome – say: e-kwird im-yu-no-di-fish-un-see sin-drom). ![]() |
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Symptoms | How do women get it? | Testing and Treatment |
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Testing: A blood test can determine if you have been infected with HIV. Treatment:
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Human Papillomavirus (say: hyu-men pap-e-lo-me vi-res): Commonly known as Genital HPV, this infection is an STI that is caused by the human papillomavirus. ![]() |
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Symptoms | How do women get it? | Testing and Treatment |
Most people with HPV have no symptoms and do not know they are infected. Symptoms may include:
After exposure to HPV, genital warts may appear within weeks, months or not all. These may include:
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Testing: Your doctor may use a magnifying lens to find warts or put acetic acid (vinegar) on the genital area. This causes warts to turn white and makes them easier to see. Treatment: There is no treatment for HPV but there are treatments for the conditions that it can cause – such as genital warts, cervical cell changes, and cervical cancer.
Genital Warts
Cervical Changes |
Syphilis (say: sif-e-les): An infection caused by a bacteria called bacterium treponema pallidum (say: bak-ter-e-um trep-u-ne-mu(h) pu-la-de-um). ![]() |
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Symptoms | How do women get it? | Testing and Treatment |
Symptoms in the first or primary stage appear 10 to 90 days after exposure (usually around 21 days). Primary stage symptoms include:
If infection is not adequately treated, a latent (or hidden) stage occurs, which is followed by secondary stage symptoms that include:
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Testing: A blood or culture test can be used to determine if you have syphilis. Treatment:
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Trichomoniasis (say: trik-e-me-ni-e-ses ): A common STI that affects both men and women, although symptoms are more common in women. ![]() |
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Symptoms | How do women get it? | Testing and Treatment |
Some do not have symptoms, but those who do can have symptoms appear between 5 and 28 days after exposure. Symptoms can include:
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Testing: A wet mount may be done to determine whether you have trichomoniasis. (A sample of discharge is put on a slide with saline solution and looked at under a microscope.) Treatment:
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Content last updated June 18, 2008