Content

• Steps
• Warning

If you have had recent sexual contact with another person's genitals, there is a chance you have a sexually transmitted infection, also known as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Male and female condoms can reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections but are not completely safe. STI symptoms aren't always obvious, but there are some things to be on the lookout for.

Steps

Method 1 of 5: Check for signs of gonorrhea and chlamydia

1. 

   Symptoms of gonorrhea and chlamydia are sometimes not obvious. You or your partner may have all, only a few or no of the following symptoms. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are bacterial infections. Symptoms of gonorrhea usually appear within 10 days of exposure; Symptoms of chlamydia usually appear 1-3 weeks after exposure. Gonorrhea and chlamydia can both be spread through the genitals, eyes, mouth, throat, and anus.

2. 

   
   
   Examine the penis for secretions. These two conditions can cause yellow, green, thick, bloody or milky discharge from the penis. A discharge from the penis is not a normal phenomenon, but the presence of discharge does not necessarily mean you have a sexually transmitted infection. The only way to know for sure is to go to the hospital for a test.

3. 

   
   
   Watch for pain or a burning sensation while urinating. Infection of the urethra by gonorrhea bacteria can cause urethritis. As a result, you will feel pain or heat.

4. 

   
   
   Palpate testicles. If you feel pain, pain, or swelling, seek medical treatment. This could be a symptom of gonorrhea, chlamydia, or another disease.

5. 

   Check for symptoms of anal gonorrhea or anal chlamydia. These symptoms include itching in the anus, pain with bowel movements, anal pain, anal bleeding, swollen prostate gland, and anal discharge.

6. 

   Ask your partner to check the symptoms for themselves. If your partner has symptoms of gonorrhea or chlamydia (even if you don't), both of you need medical treatment. If they have a penis then follow the test described above. If they have a vagina, follow the instructions below:
   • Check for excessive vaginal discharge, or discharge that is unusual in color, odor, consistency, or signs. This could be a symptom of gonorrhea or chlamydia.
   • Check for signs of pain or heat while urinating. This could be a symptom of gonorrhea or chlamydia.
   • Women can also get anal gonorrhea or anal chlamydia. Symptoms include itching in the anus, pain with bowel movements, anal pain, anal bleeding, and anal discharge.
   • Vaginal bleeding between periods is also a sign of gonorrhea.

7. 

   Seek treatment if you have any of these symptoms. Gonorrhea or chlamydia can cause permanent damage to the body if left untreated.

Method 2 of 5: Check for signs of syphilis

1. 

   Examine the genitals, mouth, and anus for sores of syphilis. (Ask your partner to do a self-test.) The sore usually appears as an open wound, with discharge, or without pain. Sores caused by syphilis bacteria usually appear 10 days to 3 months after exposure. They appear in the area of ​​the infection (such as the penis, vagina, tongue, lips or anus) and heal on their own, even though the disease remains in the body. Secondary syphilis can appear later.

2. 

   Self-assessment for signs of secondary syphilis. These symptoms begin to appear 3-6 weeks after the disappearance of the primary syphilis sore, and include:
   • A rash with red or slightly brown sores, almost 2cm in diameter - this is the most typical sign of secondary syphilis. The feature of the rash (flat, red skin with raised lumps) is on the torso, hands, and feet, including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
   • Fever
   • Headache
   • Sorethroat
   • Anorexic
   • Muscle pain
   • Weight loss
   • Overall weakness
   • Hair loss
   • Problems in the digestive system
   • Musculoskeletal problems
   • Neurological and visual problems
   • Swollen lymph nodes
   • Overall feeling of weakness

3. 

   At any time during an infection, syphilis can spread to the nervous system. This is very dangerous and can cause neurological symptoms like loss of coordination and changes in behavior. In addition, secondary syphilis can develop into the terminal phase and spread to the internal organs, causing fatal complications.
   • Neurosyphilis is difficult to diagnose and often requires spinal cord tests to confirm.

4. 

   Seek treatment if you have any of the above symptoms or suspect you have syphilis. This is a dangerous disease that can cause permanent damage and even death if left untreated. Inform your doctor immediately to get tested.

Method 3 of 5: Check for signs of genital herpes

1. 

   Look for red sores, blisters, or small red lumps in the genitals or anal area. Sores can appear on the penis, scrotum, and even inside the urethra. Genital herpes is an infection caused by the HSV virus (herpes simplex virus). This disease often causes painful sores on the penis or vagina.
   • Although you can take medication to control outbreaks of genital herpes, once you do, you will always carry the virus.

2. 

   Look for pain or itching in the genitals, thighs, buttocks, or anus. Tingling is often the first symptom of herpes. Herpes sores are also painful, so you can differentiate this from other conditions.

3. 

   Notice any discomfort while urinating. A sore can appear inside the urethra and cause pain when urinating.

Method 4 of 5: Check for signs of HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection and genital warts

1. 

   Note that there are many types of HPV viruses. The virus that causes cancer is not the one that causes genital warts. There is no way to test for the existence of the HPV virus in men.

2. 

   Examine the penis for lesions, such as flesh-colored or gray warts. Individual genital warts are small in size - less than 1 mm in diameter; however, they can multiply and grow close together. When this happens, the warts look like cauliflower. The warts can grow inside or around the genitals, anus, in the mouth and behind the throat.

3. 

   Watch for blood stains after sexual intercourse. This could be a sign of genital warts or another condition.

4. 

   Notice any tingling or pain in the genital area, on the buttocks, or in the mouth. These signs may be symptoms of genital warts or another sexually transmissible infection.

5. 

   Patients usually do not show symptoms when infected with the HPV viruses that can cause cancer in men and women. In men, these types of HPV can cause cancer of the penis, anus, or mouth-throat. In women, they can cause cancer of the cervix, anus, or mouth-throat. Vaccines are available to prevent infection with some of the HPV viruses that can cause cancer or genital warts.
   • Men 9-26 years old can get the HPV vaccine Gardasil and Gardasil.

6. 

   Seek treatment if you have any of these symptoms. Hospitals can prescribe medications to treat genital warts, and advise you on your cancer risk if you have the HPV virus that can cause cancer.

Method 5 of 5: Follow screening guidelines

1. 

   Make sure you and your partner are following the guidelines for screening of a sexually transmitted infection. If your partner is a woman, there are some tests she should have periodically. If they are men, he should be screened for some STIs. These tests can tell whether you or your partner have a sexually transmissible infection, so that you can take the right precautions and seek treatment. This is especially important because, as noted, many STIs do not cause obvious symptoms.
   • These instructions still have drawbacks. You should discuss all your risk factors with your health care provider so they can help you adjust screening accordingly.
   • Make sure your partner is tested and treated at the same time as you.

2. 

   Get tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) once in your life between ages 13-64. Men who have sex with men should be tested at least annually, if not more often.

3. 

   Get tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia yearly if you are under 25 years old, or if you have a new or multiple sex partners. Having more than one sex partner increases your risk of getting a sexually transmissible infection.

4. 

   Get tested for syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia annually if you are a man who has any type of same-sex sex. Men who have more than one sex partner and / or partner should be tested more often.

Warning

• Many STIs do not cause obvious symptoms. Get tested if you or your partner suspects you have a sexually transmissible infection.
• There are some STIs, such as hepatitis (A, B and C) and HIV that usually don't cause symptoms in the genital area, so they are not covered in this article.