Common STDs and How to Identify Them

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) — or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) —are prevalent health conditions that affect over 68 million Americans each year.

While most STDs are treatable and preventable, understanding how to identify these infections and knowing when to seek professional medical care is essential.

What are STDs?

STDs are infections that are spread through sexual contact — including vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

STDs can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi and can affect anyone engaging in sexual activities.

Remember that STDs should always be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional.

If not, these infections can cause long-term health complications that can significantly impact your life.

What are the Most Common STDs?

There are more than 20 different types of STDs that have been identified. These are the most common ones among Americans:

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial STD caused by Chlamydia trachomatis that infects the genital tract. It’s one of the most common STDs and affects both men and women.

This STD may not cause any physical symptoms, making it difficult to detect an infection.

However, if infected, men and women may experience abnormal discharge, bleeding, and pain in the genital area.

If left untreated, chlamydia can cause serious health complications like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and ectopic pregnancies in women.

Both men and women also have an increased risk of infertility if they have an untreated chlamydia infection.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is another bacterial STD that can infect the genitals, rectum, and throat.

Symptoms of gonorrhea may include a burning sensation during urination, abnormal discharge, and, in women, bleeding between periods.

It’s important to ensure that you get treated for gonorrhea if you’ve been infected. Leaving gonorrhea untreated can cause infertility and increase your risk of contracting HIV.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is a viral infection that is spread via any type of skin-to-skin contact, but most people are infected through sexual activity.

There are over 100 different types of HPV that may cause a variety of symptoms. The most common sign of an HPV infection is genital warts that look like small, flesh-colored bumps.

These warts can be itchy and may start to bleed during intercourse. They may also become painful and cause a feeling of discomfort in the genital area.

Some forms of HPV can increase an individual’s risk of developing certain types of cervical cancer, so it’s crucial to seek medical guidance if you’ve been infected.

You can also get vaccinated against HPV to protect yourself from infection.

Genital herpes

This is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) that enters openings in the skin like small cuts or sores.

Common symptoms of an HSV infection include small red bumps or ulcers, itching, and pain in the genital area and along the inner thighs. You may also experience flu-like symptoms.

Although you can take medication to relieve herpes symptoms, many people will experience periodic outbreaks for the rest of their lives once they’ve been infected.

These outbreaks can also spread to the mouth, causing an oral herpes infection that leads to cold sores or fever blisters on the lips.

Keep an eye on your symptoms to avoid transmitting HSV to a partner, even after the outbreak has cleared. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications to help reduce this risk.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum and it’s primarily transmitted during intercourse.

Transmission can occur when there is direct contact with infected genital fluids or touching syphilis sores and rashes. These sores can appear on the genitals, mouth, or other parts of the body.

A syphilis infection usually progresses through stages and can cause various common STD symptoms, including fever, swollen lymph nodes, and genital pain.

If left untreated and allowed to progress to an advanced stage, syphilis can also cause damage to organs like the brain, heart, and liver.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis is part of a group of five viruses that can infect your liver and cause inflammation. It may be transmitted through contact with blood, semen, and other bodily fluids of an infected person.

Most people will only have a brief, acute infection. If a hepatitis B infection becomes chronic, it can cause long-term damage to your liver.

Symptoms of a hepatitis infection include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, abdominal pain, and nausea.

It’s also possible for an infection to be asymptomatic, meaning it doesn’t cause any symptoms.

Although there is no cure for hepatitis B, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting vaccinated against the virus. If you’ve already been infected, you can take antiviral medications to manage your symptoms.

Scabies

Scabies is an infestation of the skin caused by a tiny mite called Sarcoptes scabiei — also known as the itch mite. These mites burrow into the upper layer of the skin, where they will live and start to lay eggs.

A scabies infection causes an intense, itchy rash and thick-crusted sores to develop in the genital area.

Scabies is highly contagious and can easily spread from person to person through close physical contact and sharing personal items like razors.

Pubic lice

Public lice — also known as crabs — are small insects that infest the hair around the genital area.

They are primarily transmitted through sexual activity and prolonged personal contact with an infected person.

An infestation with public lice typically causes itching and irritation in the affected area. The lice may also lay their eggs in the pubic hair, which may worsen the infection.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

HIV is a serious condition that attacks the immune system and causes damage to the body’s cells. By weakening the immune system, HIV also makes the body more susceptible to severe infections.

If you’ve been infected with HIV, you may experience a short flu-like illness within two to six weeks.

One of the concerning aspects of HIV is that it can also be an asymptomatic STD, meaning many people may be unaware that they are infected.

This highlights the importance of getting tested to know your HIV status.

Which Medical Conditions Are Commonly Mistaken for STDs?

There are a number of medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms to an STD, making it difficult to distinguish between them. Let’s take a look at what these conditions are.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

UTIs are bacterial infections that can occur in any part of the urinary tract, including the bladder, urethra, and kidneys.

This condition usually develops when fecal bacteria come into contact with the genitals. Common symptoms of UTIs include:

• Frequent urination
• Cloudy and foul-smelling urine
• Pelvic pain

UTI symptoms, such as pain during urination and pelvic discomfort, may be confused with an STD.

Monkeypox

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that belongs to the same family as smallpox.

It’s primarily spread to humans through close personal contact but can also be transmitted by infected animals.

Symptoms of monkeypox include rashes and lesions that may resemble certain STIs like herpes or syphilis. If you have monkeypox, you may also experience muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and blisters.

Yeast infections

This infection — also known as candidiasis — occurs when there is an overgrowth of yeast in the body.

An overgrowth is usually caused by nonsexual factors like a weakened immune system, hormonal changes, or using certain medications.

Symptoms include itching, burning, and irritation in the genital area, similar to the most common STDs. You may also experience a thick white discharge from the vaginal area.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV)

BV is a common infection characterized by an imbalance in the naturally occurring bacteria in the vagina. Symptoms of BV occur in the vaginal area and may include:

• A fishy odor
• Thin, grayish discharge
• Itching and irritation

These symptoms may resemble those of bacterial STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea, which can lead to a misdiagnosis.

Infectious mononucleosis (mono)

Mono is a disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and it is chiefly spread through close contact. This includes kissing, sharing drinks and utensils, or sexual activity.

Common symptoms that may overlap with those of STDs include:

• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Body aches

If you’ve been infected with mono, you may also experience extreme fatigue and a sore throat.

How Will I Know if it’s an STD or Something Else?

The best way to know if you have an STD or a different medical condition is to go for a professional test.

Self-diagnosis or assumptions based on symptoms alone are usually unreliable and won’t get you the treatment you need.

It’s also worth noting that STDs can often be asymptomatic, meaning you won’t know you’ve been infected until you get tested.

If you are experiencing any concerning symptoms or have engaged in sexual activities that may put you at risk of developing an STD, it’s important to make an appointment with your doctor.

They will be able to perform a physical examination and, if necessary, an STD test to help you determine the cause of your concerns.

Can STDs be Prevented?

There is no foolproof way to prevent STDs other than abstinence. However, this may not work for everyone.

That’s why many doctors recommend a variety of best practices that you can follow to reduce your risk of becoming infected. These include:

• Practicing safe sex by using barrier methods consistently
• Receiving a hepatitis and HPV vaccine
• Getting tested for STDs regularly
• Being honest with your sexual partners about your STD history and test results
• If you are at a higher risk of contracting HIV, ask your healthcare provider about preventative treatments

Where Can I Learn More about STDs and Similar Conditions?

If you suspect that you have an STD or you’re concerned about any of your symptoms, you can speak to a board-certified physician or nurse practitioner from the comfort of your home.

Head over to LifeMD to make a telehealth appointment.