Early Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

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EARLY SYMPTOMS OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

DISEASE / FIRST SYMPTOMS

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome): Night sweats, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, persistent fever, persistent diarrhea, oral thrush (a heavy, whitish coating on the tongue and on the inside of the mouth), headaches.

Candidiasis: Itching in the genital area, pain when urinating, a thick odorless vaginal discharge.

Chlamydia: Often, there are no symptoms at all for males or females. When symptoms do occur, females can experience painful intercourse, and males will often complain of a clear, watery, urethral discharge at the tip of the penis

Genital Herpes: Symptoms can include itching, tingling sensations, burning in the genital area, fluid filled blisters on the genitals in males and females, as well as pain and inflammation. You can transmit this virus even if you do NOT have lesions or sores present. If you know you have the virus, you must tell your partner and use condoms to protect them.

Genital Warts: Soft, cauliflower-like growths appearing in clusters or alone around the vagina, penis, anus, groin or scrotum.

Gonorrhea: For females, a cloudy vaginal discharge, painful urination and vaginal itching, though there are often no early symptoms for women; for males, a yellowish, pus-filled discharge from the penis, and burning with urination.

Hepatitis B: Fever, fatigue, nausea or no symptoms at all in either partner for 2 to 6 months.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Fever, lower abdominal pain, often a pus-filled vaginal discharge.

Pubic Lice (aka.Crabs): Intense itching of the perineal areas in both sexes. Crabs are tiny but visible in pubic hair and on thighs.

Scabies: Intense itching experience by both sexes. Scabies are tiny and barely if at all visible in pubic hair and on thighs.

Syphilis: A sore on the genitals of both sexes (chancre), rash, fever, sore throat, sores in the mouth or anus.

Trichomoniasis: for females, vaginal itching and pain, a foamy, greenish or yellow foul-smelling discharge; for males, a clear discharge from the penis.

About this Author

Ken Chisholm's expertise in health care, orthopedics, surgery and nursing spans well over thirty years. He holds multiple board certifications in these areas. Ken has a passion for empowering people to be more educated and involved about their health and to become more aware and active in the health care environment.

Last updated on: 07/16/09

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