Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms?
Most people who have an STD have no symptoms. A test from your health care provider or local health clinic may be the only way to tell for sure if you're infected.

If you do become infected, symptoms may appear right away. Or, they may not show up for weeks or months or even years. They may come and go. Even if the signs and symptoms go away, you can still infect other people if you have sex with them. Or, they can still infect you!

STDs: Who, What, Where, When and Why
When you have unprotected sex with a partner, you risk a variety of sexually transmitted diseases, bugs and infections.

STD Symptoms for Women
It's hard to describe STD symptoms. They can have similar symptoms as other diseases that have nothing to do with sex. But if you think you may have been at risk for an STD, some symptoms you may have are:

• Sores, bumps or blisters near your genitals, anus (butt hole) or mouth
• Burning or pain when you urinate (pee)
• Itching, bad smell or unusual discharge from your vagina or anus (butt hole)
• Bellyache (pain in your lower abdomen)
• Bleeding from your vagina between your menstrual periods

Remember: Sometimes symptoms don't show up for weeks or months or years.

STD Symptoms for Men
It's hard to describe STD symptoms. They can have similar symptoms as other diseases that have nothing to do with sex. But if you think you may have been at risk for an STD, some symptoms you may have are:

• Sores, bumps or blisters near your genitals, anus (butt hole) or mouth
• Burning or pain when you urinate (pee)
• Drip or discharge from your penis
• Itching, pain or discharge from your anus (butt hole)

Remember: Sometimes symptoms don't show up for weeks or months.

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 National AIDS Control Organization