Sexually transmitted diseases affect both men and women and are a worldwide public health concern. STDs are spread by sexual contact involving the genitals, mouth or rectum. They can also be spread from pregnant women to fetuses before or during delivery.
Below are warning signs of STDS that no one should ignore.
A sore, wart or rash in the genital area of you or your partner could be a warning sign. Skin rashes and lesions often appear at the onset of an STD, but the lesions may disappear within a few days. However, the infection itself is left untreated.
Warts, lesions or bumps on the thigh could be warning signs. So can a scaly rash on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet.
Painful, burning, or frequent urination is one of the most common symptoms of STDs. Women often mistake this symptom to be a sign of a urinary tract infection. These symptoms may also appear at the onset of the disease and then disappear.
Bleeding during sex or between periods could be a warning sign. If you notice increased flow or pain during your period, this may indicate an STD. Do not ignore heavy and/or prolonged bleeding.
WebMD listed vaginal swelling or redness, discharge from the penis, urethra, vagina, or anus as other signs.
Occasional discharge (clear, thin, with no smell) is normal, but you may have an STD if you experience discharge that is white, yellow, yellowish-green, bloody or another color. If it has a noticeable odor, or is persistent, you might have an STD.
Pelvic pain is another warning sign. JustMommies.com said pelvic pain can range from mild to severe.
Swollen glands, fever, and body aches are additional signs. So are sore throats in people who have oral sex, rectal pain for people who have anal sex, and pain or discomfort during sex.
Pain or swelling of the testicles, genital and/or anal itching or irritation should also not be ignored.
Unfortunately sometimes there aren’t any warning signs at all. JustMommies.com cautioned that women quite frequently have no noticeable symptoms at all. Mayo Clinic cautioned that even if you have no symptoms, you're still at risk of passing the STD to your sex partners.
WebMD advised seeing a doctor if you have any of the STD warning signs listed above. Don't wait to get help. Sexually transmitted diseases are very contagious. They may result in serious complications or death if left untreated.
Sources:
"STD symptoms: Common STDs and their symptoms - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2013.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/std-symptoms/ID00053
"STDs: Common Symptoms & Tips on Prevention." Columbia.edu. CUMC Student Health Service, n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2013.
http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/student/health/pdf/R-S/STDs.pdf
"Safe Sex-Topic Overview." WebMD - Better information. Better health. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2013.
http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/tc/safe-sex-topic-overview?ecd=wnl_sxr_090413&ctr=wnl-sxr-090413_promo_2&mb=
"Seven Warning Signs of a Sexually Transmitted Disease." Welcome to JustMommies: pregnancy and parenting on JustMommies. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2013.
http://www.justmommies.com/articles/sexually_transmitted_disease.shtml
"Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)." WebMD - Better information. Better health.. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2013.
http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/understanding-stds-symptoms
Writers, DiscoveryHealth.com. "Discovery Health "STD Symptom Checklist." Discovery Health "Discovery Fit & Health". N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2013.
http://health.howstuffworks.com/sexual-health/sexuality/std-symptom-checklist.htm
Reviewed October 10, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith