Warning Signs Of Sexually Transmitted Diseases You Shouldn't Ignore

Early diagnosis and treatment of any disease are the keys to survival. It is crucial that you consult a physician if you suspect that you have contracted an infection. Whether single or married, gay or straight, you can get sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) if you engage in genital touching, vaginal, oral or anal intercourse. Appropriate use of condoms can minimize the transmission of some STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) or STDs. However, this precautionary measure may not always be successful.

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Some symptoms of STIs take time to manifest while others are noticeable within a few weeks of being infected. Generally, abnormal discharge, painful urination, swelling or sores on the genitals and foul smell in the genital area are indications of STIs. However, you need to undergo diagnostic tests for confirmation if you observe any warning sign.

Symptoms Of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Most STDs are transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. However, some infections such as hepatitis and HIV can also be transmitted through contact with an infected person’s blood. Here are some STIs and their symptoms.

Gonorrhea

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This STI is caused by the bacteria, Neisseria gonorrheae. It may take about 10 days to months after exposure to the causative organism before the signs start manifesting. It may be mistaken for urinary tract infection (UTI) in females. However, gonorrhea may lead to the development of scars in the urethra if left untreated. Its symptoms include;
• Burning sensation or pain when urinating
• Bloody or cloudy discharge from the genitals
• Anal itching
• Swollen and painful testicles
• Bleeding between menstrual periods
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Painful bowel movement

Syphilis
This is a bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum. It takes 2 to 3 weeks after contracting the bacteria before the symptoms will show. The symptoms may not be obvious in women. A pregnant female with untreated syphilis can transfer the infection to her unborn baby. Congenital syphilis can be life-threatening. It can also cause disability in newborns.

The earliest sign of syphilis is a chancre or painless sore at the point of entry of the bacteria. A single chancre or multiples of it can occur on the genitals, lips, tongue or rectum of the sufferer. These sores may disappear without treatment. However, they may reappear later. The following symptoms can occur after 3 to 6 weeks of the initial disappearance of the sores.
• Constant fatigue and fever
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Aching and soreness
• Rash accompanied with sores on any part of the body

These symptoms may go within few weeks and reoccur later. They may never reappear in some cases (latent syphilis) or the infection may progress. If the infection is not treated at this stage, it can lead to numbness, lack of coordination, paralysis, dementia, and paralysis.

Chlamydia

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It is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. The infection affects the throat, rectum, urethra (in men) and cervix (in females). During childbirth, an infant can contract the disease, which can lead to pneumonia or eye infection. Chlamydia may not show symptoms in its early stage. However, the following mild signs may appear after 1 to 3 weeks of exposure to the causative organism.
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina
If left untreated, the disease progresses with these symptoms.
• Nausea and fever
• Lower abdominal and back pain
• Bleeding between periods in females
• Testicular pain in men
• Women experience pain during sexual intercourse

Trichomoniasis (Trich)
This sexually transmitted disease is caused by the protozoa, Trichomonas vaginalis. The infection affects the vagina in women and urinary tract in men. It may be asymptomatic in males. However, the following signs can manifest within 5 to 28 days of contracting the infection.
• Painful urination
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Discharge from the penis or vagina (may be clear, greenish, white or yellowish)
• Vaginal itching and odor
• Irritation or itching inside the penis

Genital herpes

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This STD is caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV). It gets into the body through the mucous membranes or cracks in the skin. The virus can be found in an infected person’s saliva, vaginal secretions, and semen. Symptoms of this infection can appear 2 to 30 days after exposure to the virus. They include the following:
• Itching on the affected sites (genital area, inner thighs, and buttocks) before the appearance of blisters or fluid-filled bumps.
• Blisters on the penis, scrotum, around the anus and the vagina.
• The blisters rupture to become open sores that bleed or ooze fluid.
• Urination becomes painful due to the presence of ulcers.
• Scabs may appear over the ulcers within a week of the outbreak or appearance of the herpetic sores.
• Fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph glands in the groin area accompany the initial outbreak.
Babies born through vaginal delivery to women with genital herpes can get infected. Such infants may become blind, suffer from brain damage or die.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection
Some type of HPV can lead to cervical cancer in females while others cause genital warts. HPV may not show symptoms after the infection is contracted. However, some manifests as genital warts that appear in the cervix or vulva in women and scrotum or penis in males. They can also occur around the anus and in the groin. Warts may develop in the throat or mouth of an individual that has oral sex with an infected person.

Genital warts occur as small swellings or bumps in the genital area. However, their appearance and sizes vary. They can appear singly, form clusters or cauliflower shaped. Warts may be flesh-colored or white. Itching in the genital area and bleeding during intercourse are the signs of this STI.

Hepatitis
This viral infection is characterized by inflammation of the liver. There are several types of hepatitis; A, B, C, D, and E. The common mode of transmission of hepatitis B virus is through sexual intercourse and contact with an infected person’s blood. Besides inflammation of the liver cells, this virus can also cause severe damage to the liver.
An infected mother can transfer the viral infection to her unborn baby during pregnancy. A newborn can also get the virus through breast milk. The infant may develop a chronic liver condition at an older age. The following signs of this viral infection may show weeks after exposure to the virus.
• Fatigue and fever
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Joint or muscle ache
• Diarrhea
• Itchy skin
• Dark urine and light colored feces
• Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes

HIV infection
This STI is caused by Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which interferes with the immune system. The infection can lead to a life-threatening and chronic condition, AIDS. Transmission of HIV can be through sexual intercourse, blood transfusion, and sharing of unsterilized instruments with an infected person. An infected mother can also pass the virus to her baby at birth.

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It may take several weeks before an infected person can show signs of the infection. The early signs include the following:
• Headache
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Skin rash
• Swollen lymph nodes
Usually, these symptoms disappear within a month. A blood test remains the only way to confirm HIV infection. The symptoms may be mistaken for other viral infection. Besides, it may take years after the initial infection before severe symptoms will manifest. They include:
• High fever
• Chronic diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Persistent headache and fatigue
• Shortness of breath and cough
• Swelling of lymph nodes
• Soaking night sweats
• Opportunistic infections

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Don’t overlook any of these symptoms. Consult a doctor once you suspect that you have an STI. Delay may lead to severe and life-threatening conditions. Besides, you may infect other people.