Common STI symptoms: what to look out for

A lot of STIs have symptoms in common. So, some general signs may indicate you have an infection.

Below are some common STI symptoms in men and women.

These symptoms are common in certain STIs such as:

• chlamydia
• gonorrhoea
• mycoplasma genitalium
• ureaplasma urealyticum
• non-gonococcal urethritis
• trichomoniasis

Certain STIs may cause flu-like symptoms such as a fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes and nausea.

Some people may also experience STI symptoms in other parts of the body. For example, chlamydia can also occur in the eye or mouth from oral sex.

Some STIs may cause specific symptoms and may be easier to distinguish from other common infections.

Genital warts symptoms

Genital warts are an STI caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Unlike other STIs, genital warts symptoms are quite clear to spot.

Genital warts look like small flesh-coloured that develop in the anogenital area. They are painless but can cause itching and irritation.

Genital herpes symptoms

Similarly to genital warts, genital herpes has clear physical signs.

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-2). The herpes virus causes fluid-filled blisters to develop in the anogenital area.

The symptoms start as a tingling or burning sensation then small blisters develop. Eventually, they scab over and heal.

Pubic lice symptoms

Pubic are lice small insects that live in the pubic hair around the penis or vagina. The lice themselves can be hard to spot, but you may be able to see them in the hair. They are around 2mm long and grey-brown.

The symptoms you are more likely to notice:

• itching, particularly at night
• small red or blue spots on your skin caused by bites
• white/yellow eggs attached to the hair
• dark red or brown spots in your underwear from lice faeces

Pubic lice symptoms are quite distinctive. If you think you have lice, you should see your GP as soon as possible.

Syphilis symptoms

Syphilis is a more serious type of STI that can cause mild symptoms. Syphilis symptoms can also come and go and change over time.

Syphilis symptoms include:

• small painless sores (ulcers) that occur around the anogenital area and occasionally in your mouth, lips or hands
• white/grey wart-like growths that occur on the anogenital area
• a non-itchy rash on your hands and soles of your feet - it can occasionally spread across the body
• flu-like symptoms
• patchy hair loss on the head, beard and eyebrows

Syphilis can be hard to spot as you may only develop one ulcer. So, it’s important to get regularly tested if you have unprotected sex.

HIV symptoms

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a serious illness that is transmitted predominantly through sexual activity. HIV can occur in stages. Once you contract the illness, you have it for life.

Most people, when they contract it, experience flu-like symptoms. This stage is called seroconversion. Over time, the virus weakens your immune system which can cause:

• night sweats
• weight loss
• oral thrush
• increased bouts of herpes or cold sores
• swollen glands
• long-lasting diarrhoea
• tiredness

People with HIV will need to be on treatment for the rest of their lives to suppress the virus and stop it from spreading to others.

For most common STIs, symptoms usually will appear within 2-3 weeks of contracting the infection. In some cases, symptoms may not appear until much later. So, you shouldn’t wait to see symptoms if you think you might be at risk of an STI.

In a lot of cases, STIs may not cause any symptoms.

For example, 70% of chlamydia infections in women and 50% in men do not cause any symptoms according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

It also happens in STIs that cause more notable symptoms. Up to 90% of genital herpes go undiagnosed.

If left untreated, some STIs can cause serious complications. So, even if you have no symptoms, you should get frequent checks to get the treatment you need (if you need it).

The majority of common STI symptoms can be confused with other infections, which can cause people to not get tested.

However, you should still get your symptoms checked, even if it’s not an STI. Below are some common conditions that can cause similar symptoms to an STI.

Common conditions in women

A lot of conditions can cause vaginal symptoms.

• thrush - a fungal infection that causes white discharge and vaginal itching
• bacterial vaginosis (BV) - a bacterial infection that causes a fishy odour in the vagina and a watery, grey discharge
• urinary tract infection (cystitis) - an infection that causes burning whilst peeing and abdominal pain
• skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis - can cause itching and discomfort in the genital area
• razor burn - causes redness and irritation around the vagina

Some conditions you may have had before and therefore you can recognise the symptoms (e.g. thrush). However, if you notice anything unusual, you should get an STI test to make sure.

Common conditions in men

For men, infections are less common. However, some conditions can cause similar symptoms.

• candida balanitis - inflammation of the head of the penis caused by thrush
• skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis - can cause itching and discomfort in the genital area
• smegma - a whiteish substance that develops under the foreskin, can cause bacterial growth if not properly cleaned
• urinary tract infection - an infection that causes burning whilst peeing and abdominal pain
• jock itch - a fungal infection that occurs around the groin area, causing skin rashes, itching and irritation

Men should also get regularly tested to ensure that they don’t have an STI, especially if they have unusual symptoms.

The first step is to get an STI test. You should get tested regularly and ever time you have sex with a new partner.

You can go and get one in person at a sexual health clinic. In some areas, you can also order sexual health test kits online. They are delivered to your home and you can post them off.

Depending on your symptoms, you may require a urine test, swab test or blood test.

If you test positive for an STI, you will then need to get treatment. Most bacterial infections will need to be treated with antibiotics such as Doxycycline or Azithromycin.

Viral STIs like genital warts or herpes may require ongoing treatment.

Other STIs may require specific treatments. You should also tell your recent sexual partners so they can get checked.

If you think you have a more serious or invasive STI like HIV or pubic lice, you should go to your doctor for advice and treatment.