The following are a list of symptoms which MAY indicate the presence of a sexually transmitted infection. It is important to speak with a health professional if any of these symptoms are present. Please note that even if you don’t have any of the following symptoms, that does not mean you are STI free for certain. Some STI’s have no symptoms for a long period after infection.
Chlamydia is known as a “silent STI” because 75% of people with vaginas and 50% of people with penises will not experience any symptoms! Others have mild symptoms that may be easy to ignore, or that seem to come and go.
If someone has symptoms, they may include:
Chlamydia is detected with a medical test. For a person with a penis, we use a urine test. For a person with a vagina, a urine test can also be used or a sample of fluid can be taken during the pelvic exam. When a person comes into our clinic, we will give them lots of information, answer all their questions, and give a complete exam that can detect Chlamydia and other problems they might have.
It is curable. Prescription antibiotics will kill the Chlamydia bacteria. If Chlamydia goes untreated in can potentially lead to:
During treatment, a person must stop having sex until they’re cured and the same goes for any partner(s). This will help prevent getting re-infected or spreading the disease to someone else.
Not having sex is the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections. If a person decides to be sexually active, using condoms, dental dams, or other barrier methods and getting tested regularly can lower their risk. If someone thinks they may be infected, not having sex until they are tested and get the results. If someone is sexually active, it is a good idea to get tested at least once a year, even if they are not having any symptoms.
Gonorrheal bacteria live in body fluids, such as semen, vaginal discharge, or saliva. Vaginal, anal, and oral sex spread the fluids and the bacteria in them to your body. Unprotected sex increases a person’s risk of contracting gonorrhea.
Many people have NO symptoms until the infection gets more severe. If the gonorrhea infection is in the throat, there are hardly ever symptoms.
Gonorrhea is determined with a medical test in which a sample of fluid is taken from the penis, vagina, anus, or throat, and then sent to a lab for results. When a person comes into our clinic, we will give them lots of information, answer all their questions, and give them a complete exam that can detect gonorrhea and other problems they might have.
It is curable. Prescription antibiotics will kill the Gonorrhea bacteria. If Gonorrhea goes untreated in can potentially lead to:
Not having sex is the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections. If a person decides to be sexually active, using condoms, dental dams, or other barrier methods and getting tested regularly can lower their risk. If someone thinks they may be infected, not having sex until they are tested and get the results. If someone is sexually active, it is a good idea to get tested at least once a year, even if they are not having any symptoms.
Hepatitis is the name for a group of viruses that cause serious infections in the liver and can permanently damage or destroy liver cells. The most common forms of the virus are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.
Hepatitis can be spread by blood, so do not share needles for piercings, tattoos, steroids, or other drugs, and make sure piercings and tattoos done professionally. Hepatitis can also be spread via sexual activity. Not having sex is the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections. If a person decides to be sexually active, using condoms, dental dams, or other barrier methods and getting tested regularly can lower their risk. Another way it can be spread is via fecal-oral transmission, some examples include:
Sometimes, there are no visible or noticeable symptoms, but if a person is infected they can spread the infection to others even if they have no symptoms themselves. Since all the Hepatitis viruses affect the liver, the symptoms are similar.
Hepatitis A is not as damaging to liver cells as the other known forms of Hepatitis, but it makes people very sick. The Hepatitis A virus lives in the intestines of an infected person. When a person passes stool (poop), the virus is in it and can be spread to another person if that person gets some of the infected stool into his or her own intestinal tract. This is called the fecal-oral route. Hepatitis A is easily preventable with good hand washing and good sanitation techniques. There is also a vaccine available that is highly recommended before traveling to under-developed countries.
Hepatitis B causes very serious illness and in a small number of people, it can cause death. It is usually spread when an infected person’s blood or body fluids are passed to another person during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Sharing needles or other objects, like razors, toothbrushes, and hair removal equipment can put a person at-risk. People can have the virus for a long time before they realize it. This is why so many people get Hepatitis B—up to 300,000 people every year. Some people never get sick, yet they can spread the virus with every contact—these people are called chronic carriers. Some people who get sick never completely recover; their livers can fail to work properly. Between 4,000 and 6,000 people die every year in the U.S. from liver failure caused by Hepatitis. Hepatitis B can be prevented with a series of 3 vaccine injections. They are available here at myHealth as well as other clinics. For the past several years, the Hepatitis B vaccine has been included in the series of vaccines given to newborns.
Hepatitis C is mostly spread through blood contact, like when sharing drug needles, tattoo and body piercing needles, or hair removal equipment. It can also be spread through sex.
Millions of people may be infected with Hepatitis C though blood and blood products. Hepatitis C was unknown for many years, and then thought to be relatively harmless because it seemed to produce no symptoms. Now, it is know that it remains in the body silently for many years, and then can cause very serious symptoms and severe liver disease.
Talk to a doctor! Hepatitis can be difficult to test for, but we do have a test available, so if a person is worried please ask! In addition, a person should tell the doctor if they are having any of the symptoms listed above.
Herpes is a common and usually mild infection caused by two similar viruses – herpes simplex type 1 and 2. Both are very contagious and cause similar symptoms. Genital herpes (type 2) is usually present on the vagina, penis, butt, or thighs. Oral herpes (type 1) is usually on the mouth or face. As many as 80% of all people with herpes do not know that they have it! They may spread the infection to others because a small amount of virus may be present even if there are no symptoms. This fact is probably why so many people have herpes – about 20- 25% of all Americans over age 12.
Each person’s response to the virus is different. There may be no symptoms at first, but there may be symptoms with a later outbreak. The symptoms may range from minor irritation to severe pain. There may be future outbreaks of symptoms, called recurrences, or the symptoms may never return again. If there are recurrences they are usually much milder and shorter. Many people get an itchy or burning feeling a day or two before symptoms come back.
Come in and talk to a doctor or nurse as soon as you can! The health care provider will check a client for symptoms, looking for sores or blisters. A blood test may also be done.
Yes and no. There is no treatment that can remove the virus from the body. However, it can be treated. There are several effective medications that can shorten or prevent the outbreak of symptoms. Maintain a healthy lifestyle can also help strengthen the immune system and prevent future outbreaks. Since the virus lives in the body permanently, there is always a chance that outbreaks can re-occur. Some people have them very infrequently and others, more often. For anyone that has type 1 herpes (cold sores) or type 2 herpes (genital herpes) it is important to talk with a provider so they can help manage symptoms so it doesn’t drastically interfere with a person’s life.
Not being sexually active is that best way to prevent STIs. If a person decides to be sexually active, using condoms, dental dams, or other barrier methods and getting tested regularly can lower their risk.
Avoid kissing, sexual activity, or intimate touching if there are sores present. If a person has herpes, they may be contagious from the moment there is any warning feeling so its best not to come into contact with anyone until the outbreak has cleared up.
HPV, or human papilloma virus, is the most common STI and is made up of over 100 types of viruses that can cause various things in the body, including warts. A person may not know right away—or ever—if they have been infected by HPV. Genital warts may not appear until weeks, months, or years after the time of infection, if at all. Certain types of HPV may cause cells on the cervix or in the anus to change and, in rare cases, develop into cancer if left untreated. About 40 million Americans have been diagnosed with HPV, with approximately 6.2 million new cases being diagnosed every year.
HPV is usually spread by direct, skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex with a partner who already has the virus. HPV is most likely to spread when skin is exposed to visible warts, but can still be spread when warts are not visible.
HPV is the infection. The warts or skin cell changes that might show up are the symptoms. The types of HPV that cause visible warts on the genitals (vulva, vagina, penis, scrotum, or anus), or throat are different than warts on other body parts (like hands or feet). Warts that appear on the hands or feet are not caused by HPV, and are not spread through sexual activity. The warts themselves are painless, so it may be hard to know exactly when the infection began. Warts usually feel like smooth or rough bumps in or around the vulva, vagina, penis, scrotum, anus, or throat. People may have HPV and not have any warts that are visible to the naked eye. An abnormal Pap smear result may indicate HPV infection in people with vaginas.
A health care provider can examine infected skin areas for signs of warts. People with vaginas can also have a Pap smear, a test that can find abnormal skin changes on the cervix. (Note: Many people have abnormal changes caused by HPV. Only a few of those changes may become cancer if untreated.) Remember, most of the 5000 deaths each year to cervical cancer in the U.S. could have been prevented by regular Pap testing. The same types of HPV linked to cervical cancer can also cause abnormal cell changes in the anus and the penis.
Yes and no. HPV is a virus and there is no cure. The virus stays in the infected person’s cells but may or may not cause symptoms. Warts may be present in some cases, but not always. Some people experience just one episode, and others several. The good news for most people is that with time, the immune system seems to gain some mastery over the virus, making recurrences less frequent and often eliminating them entirely within about two years. So, even though the virus will never entirely leave the body, the symptoms can be treated. If a person thinks they have warts, get checked right away. Treatments are easiest when started early.
The best way to prevent HPV infection is to abstain from sexual activity. Condoms, dental dams, and other barrier methods provide limited protection, as the warts can be on skin near the genitals, which are typically not covered by a condom.
A person can also get the HPV vaccine, which can prevent certain strands of HPV from developing into cancer.
Molluscum is a viral infection which infects the skin. Hundreds of thousands of cases are diagnosed every year.
Molluscum can be spread through unprotected vaginal, oral, and anal sex. However, Molluscum can be transmitted non-sexually as well. Skin-to-skin contact with an infected person can pass on the virus, as could sharing unwashed towels or bedding with someone who had Molluscum.
The main symptom of Molluscum is the appearance of small round growths in the genital area or on the thighs. These growths usually first appear two to three months after infection.
A health care provider can diagnose Molluscum through an examination of the growths. In some cases, they may take a small scraping of a growth to look at under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis.
Molluscum can be treated by removing the growths through methods such as freezing or acid treatments. In addition, there are certain medications which can be used. If Molluscum is left untreated it is possible for it to go away on its own, but this generally takes two years. And during that time the growths can spread to other parts of the body.
Avoid physical contact with infected individuals and their belongings, especially clothes and bedding. Not having sex is the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections. If a person decides to be sexually active, using condoms, dental dams, or other barrier methods but be aware that they offer only limited protection as the growths can be on skin near the genitals, but not typically covered by a condom.
Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) is a rare viral infection that can affect anyone regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Though not technically an STI, it is transmitted by touch, which includes sex.
Mpox is spread through direct or indirect contact with the virus:
Symptoms develop about 12 days after a person (5 to 21 days). Symptoms include:
Symptoms can vary from person to person. The main symptom of Mpox, the rash, begins flat and then becomes bumpy and filled with fluid (the poxes). The rashes crust over and become scabs. Some people may have only one sore, bump, or blister. This may look different from pictures seen online.
A health care provider will evaluate whether you need to be tested for Mpox. This means that they will rule out other things and then take a sample from a sore to send to the Department of Health for testing.
Call myHealth to make an appointment to be evaluated whether you need to be tested.
There is no standard treatment for Mpox, however, in some cases it is beneficial for some people to receive antiviral treatment. Some people who have been exposed but have not developed symptoms yet may also benefit from receiving the Mpox vaccine (see below).
There are a lot of things you can do to reduce your risk of Mpox:
*There are two vaccines approved in the U.S. to prevent Mpox, but supplies are limited. The Mpox vaccine is being disbursed based on who is at highest risk. If you are at higher risk of getting Mpox, visit the Mpox vaccine finder. If you’re not sure of your risk level, visit the MN Department of Health’s page about the Mpox vaccine.
Mycoplasma Genitalium (MGen) is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that can infect anyone who is sexually active.
Unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex may spread the bacteria from the infected person to anyone they have sex with.
The infection is more common in young people, people who frequently change sexual partners, and people who do not use condoms.
Even if you have had MGen before, you can catch it again.
Many people who have MGen do not have any symptoms when they are infected. Others have mild symptoms that may be easy to ignore, or that come and go.
Currently, tests for MGen are not available at many clinics.
However, if you experience the symptoms of chlamydia or gonorrhea and your tests come back negative, your healthcare provider may treat you for MGen.
MGen is treated with 2 different antibiotics. A person should always be sure to take them exactly as prescribed because incomplete treatment can make the infection even worse. During treatment a person must abstain from sex for two full weeks, and the same goes for all partners. If you are treated with MGen, all your sexual partners should also be treated for MGen as soon as possible.
It can be difficult to treat, so if your symptoms don’t go away with treatment you should return to the clinic to see a provider after you have completed your medications.
Delay in treatment can have the following effects:
Not having sex is the best way to protect oneself from getting MGen. If a person does decide to have sex, they must plan safely and responsibly. Consider reducing your number of sex partners. Always using a condom.
If there’s a possible infection, both partners must be tested and stop having sex until the results are in. If the test was positive, they need to avoid having sex until they’ve finished receiving treatment.
PID stands for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, a serious infection of reproductive organs — the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. PID is usually a result of an untreated case of Gonorrhea or Chlamydia, although there are other, less common bacteria that can cause it too. More teens get PID than any other age group. 1 to 2 out of 10 people with PID will become sterile (unable to become pregnant). Most tubal pregnancies are caused by PID scarring. PID can cause women to have pain in their lower abdomen for years after the infection is gone. Having PID once increases the risk of having it again because the body’s defenses are often damaged during the first infection.
The bacteria that cause PID usually live in the cervix, vagina, penis, and anus. A person can get the bacteria that cause PID by having vaginal sex or anal sex with an infected person.
The most common symptom of PID is a dull pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen. If no symptoms are present, PID can still cause serious, permanent damage. Many people have no symptoms or their symptoms are too mild to notice. Other possible symptoms include:
The infection can only be diagnosed through a pelvic exam and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing. It is recommended, as with all sexual health problems, that a person be as honest as possible with their healthcare provider about their sexual history, so that they may better diagnose the condition.
If caught early enough, PID can be treated with antibiotics, bed rest, and refraining from sex. If left untreated, a person may need to be put in the hospital and given antibiotics directly into the bloodstream. There may be internal scarring or abscesses (wounds) which will have to be surgically removed. Always be sure to take the antibiotics exactly as told, because incomplete treatment can make PID even worse. Symptoms may go away long before the bacteria are totally killed. Douches will not help and very likely will make the infection worse by helping to spread mare bacteria through the cervix and into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Be sure any sexual partner(s) are tested and treated too.
Not having sex is the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections. If a person decides to be sexually active, using condoms, dental dams, or other barrier methods and getting tested regularly can lower their risk.
Often called “crabs,” pubic lice are very tiny insects that can live in the pubic area. They become attached to the skin and the hair of that region.
Public Lice can be spread through sexual intercourse. But unlike many STI’s, they can also be spread without having sex. Close physical contact with an infected person can pass Pubic Lice from one person to another.
Some people never experience symptoms. If a person does have symptoms, the most common is intense itching in the genital area or the anus. Sometimes there can be a low fever and feelings of tiredness. In some cases the lice themselves can be seen, or their small egg sacs, in the pubic hair.
A health care provider can diagnose Pubic Lice through a physical examination. It is also sometimes possible to see the lice yourself. They are tiny and grey or black in color. Their eggs are white and are found in small clumps near the roots of pubic hair.
Yes, Pubic Lice is curable. A variety of medications can be prescribed by a healthcare provider to treat the lice. It is also important to heavily wash all clothes, towels, and bedding that might have been exposed, as well as to vacuum the home or living space.
Not having sex is the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections. Avoiding any close contact with a person who has public lice is another way to reduce risk. Condoms, dental dams, and other barrier methods do not offer protection against Pubic Lice.
Scabies is an itchy rash caused by female mites which burrow into a person’s skin to lay their eggs. Scabies infestations can affect anyone regardless of sex, age, race, income, or hygiene habits.
Scabies can be spread through any kind of direct skin-to-skin contact, including sex. Towels, bedding, and clothes which have been in recent contact with an infected person could also spread the scabies mites. Until a person has been treated, they continue to be able to spread scabies.
The most noticeable symptom is intense itching, particularly at night. The areas of skin most affected by scabies includes the webs and sides of fingers, around the wrists, elbows and armpits, waist, thighs, genitals, nipples, breasts, and lower buttocks. Symptoms will generally appear within 2 to 6 weeks of infection in people who have not previously been exposed to Scabies. Those who have had Scabies in the past may show symptoms in just 1 to 4 days.
Scabies must be diagnosed by a healthcare professional. They will be able to determine if you have Scabies by examining the rash and listening to the symptoms.
It is curable. A health professional will prescribe a lotion which, if applied properly, can eliminate Scabies.
Avoid physical contact with infected individuals and their belongings, especially clothes and bedding. Although not always sexually transmitted, sexual activity is a common way to contract Scabies. Not having sex is the best way to protect oneself from getting any sexually transmitted infection. Condoms, dental dams and other barrier methods will not protect a person from getting Scabies. If a person thinks they have been infected, avoid physical contact with others until they have been treated. Do not share personal items until they have been washed and vacuumed.
Syphilis is a bacterial infection which can be passed through sexual intercourse. It can infect the vagina, penis, urethra, anus, lips, and mouth. If left untreated, syphilis can be extremely serious.
Syphilis is spread through direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
Sometimes Syphilis can have no symptoms or mild symptoms that are not easily noticeable. If someone does have symptoms, the primary one is the appearance of sores which can form on the genitals, mouth, breasts, or anus. Additional symptoms can include:
A health care provider can diagnose Syphilis. If sores are present, they can be examined and tested. If there are no sores, a simple blood test can determine if a person has syphilis.
Syphilis can be cured using prescription antibiotics, but it is most effectively treated in its early stages. If left untreated, serious complications can result including damage to the brain, heart, and nervous system, possibly leading to death.
Not having sex is the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections. If a person decides to be sexually active, using condoms, dental dams, or other barrier methods and getting tested regularly can lower their risk. If a person thinks they may have been infected, get tested as soon as possible and do not have sex until they receive their test results.
Trichomoniasis (trick-oh-mon–EYE-ah-sis) is more commonly referred to as trich (pronounced trick) or trichomonas. Trichomoniasis is a condition caused by a protozoan – a microscopic, one-celled animal. It is a common cause of vaginal infections. Up to five million Americans develop trichomoniasis every year. It can weaken the immune system, making it easier to get other infections, like HIV.
A person can get Trich through sexual activity, bathing, or sharing towels with a person who is infected.
It may take anywhere from 3-28 days for symptoms to develop. People with penises rarely have symptoms. People with vaginas also may have no symptoms, but when they do, they may worsen after a period and may include:
Trichomoniasis is detected with a medical test. A sample of fluid is taken from the penis or vagina and viewed under a microscope. When a person comes in to our clinic, we will give them lots of information, answer all their questions, and give them a complete exam that can detect trichomoniasis and other problems they might be having.
Yes. Prescription antibiotics will treat the infection. A person must take them exactly as prescribed, because incomplete treatment can make any infection even worse. Douches will not kill trich and may cause someone to get treatment too late to keep the disease from spreading. During treatment a person must stop having sex until they’re cured and the same goes for any partner(s). This will help keep a person from getting re-infected or spreading the disease to someone else.
Not having sex is the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections. If a person decides to be sexually active, using condoms, dental dams, or other barrier methods and getting tested regularly can lower their risk.. If a perosn thinks they may be infected, don’t have sex until they are tested and get the results.
