STI stands for sexually transmitted infections. They can have lots of different symptoms, or none at all. If you have any symptoms, it’s a good idea to go to an STI testing clinic. Some symptoms could also be a sign of another problem that needs to be treated. If you have a lot of pain or fever then it’s a good idea to see a doctor as soon as possible.
A lot of people get worried if they see something that could be a sign of an STI. Remember that most STIs are curable. Most of the ones that aren’t curable are treatable. That means you will always have to take medication for them, but you’ll be able to live a long and healthy life. If you take the medicine you need and get tested, it’s rare for an STI to hurt your health.
Genital symptoms
If you have an STI, you might have some symptoms in your privates. You could have:
- Feeling burning or pain when peeing
- Pain in or on your privates
- A new kind of fluid coming out of your privates that looks or smells different from usual
- Bleeding or a bad smell around your privates
- Bumps, sores, or a rash that are itchy and new
- Pain when you have sex
- Feeling like you have a cold or flu after having sex without a condom or dental dam
If you have any of these symptoms it’s good to get tested at a clinic. They’ll tell you if you have an STI and help you treat it
Oral symptoms
You can also get STIs in your mouth. STIs in the throat don’t always have symptoms. When people do have symptoms, they’re usually different from the ones in their privates. You might have:
- Itchy bumps, sores, or cold sores in and around your mouth
- A sore throat or pain in your throat
- Rashes in and around your mouth
- Feeling like you have a cold or flu after having oral sex without a condom or dental dam
Can you get an STI and have no symptoms?
A lot of STIs have no symptoms at all! But, even if you don’t have symptoms, you can still give the STI to your partners. This means it’s really important to keep using barriers like condoms or dental dams. It’s also good to get regular check-ups so you can see if you have an STI and treat it so you don’t accidentally give it to someone else.
