The common signs of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) are symptoms similar to a urinary tract infection, flu-like symptoms, and warts or sores. These symptoms can mimic minor infections or viruses, and thus not seem necessary to treat as soon as possible. Additionally, several sexually transmitted diseases are commonly found to be asymptomatic, meaning they have no obvious symptoms at all. In this case, the infected person might not learn about his or her condition until getting a full check-up at a doctor’s office, or being warned by a sexual partner who experienced symptoms and discovered the STD.
Pain while urinating or having sex, frequent and urgent urination, and fatigue are common signs of a urinary tract infection, but they are also signs of various STDs. For example, painful urination and pain during sex are symptoms of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. While fatigue is sometimes a sign of a urinary tract infection, it is also observed in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and any type of hepatitis. These signs of an STD can be subtle, but should not be ignored, even if they are only a minor irritation.
Signs of an STD can include flu-like symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, fever, and a sore throat. Nausea and vomiting is a sign of hepatitis, while a fever that comes and goes can be the fault of HIV, hepatitis, or syphilis. A sore throat may also be an indication of HIV. These symptoms may be mistaken for the influenza virus or the common cold, but they are typically more serious and require treatment as soon as possible.
Unexplained warts and sores are generally considered signs of an STD, especially when they appear on the genitals, thighs, or buttocks. Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is an especially common STD, can be a cause of genital warts. In addition, genital herpes is caused by a different virus known as the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This virus produces bumps on and around the genitals, which eventually erupt into open sores. There is no cure for either HPV or HSV, but both viruses can sometimes stop producing sores and warts, basically going dormant in the infected person.
It is not unusual for a person to have absolutely no signs of an STD, though the STD is likely still transmittable to sexual partners. Subtle or virtually undetectable STDs are one reason why doctors generally recommend sexually active people to get tested regularly. Not only can this possibly slow or eliminate damage to the infected person’s body, but it may help avoid spreading the infection by knowing to be more cautious with future partners.