Sexually active? Are you on top of your sexual health?

Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STI. People who have contracted the infection often exhibit no early symptoms, or their symptoms are so mild that they go unnoticed. This is why Chlamydia is often referred to as a ‘silent’ infection, and why doctors recommend an annual screening. 

Symptoms of Chlamydia in women include:

• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Vaginal discharge
• A burning sensation during urination
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Inflammation of the cervix
• Spotting between periods

Symptoms of Chlamydia in men include:

• A burning sensation during urination
• Discharge from the penis (yellow or green)
• Pain in the lower abdomen 
• Pain in the testicles

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and often targets warm, moist areas of the body, such as the urethra, eyes, throat, vagina, anus or the female reproductive tract.

Symptoms of Gonorrhea in women: 

• Watery, creamy or slightly green discharge from the vagina
• Pain or burning while urinating and the urge to urinate more frequently
• Spotting or heavier than average periods
• A sore throat
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• A sharp pain in the lower abdomen
• Fever

Symptoms of Gonorrhea in men:

• A more frequent and urgent need to urinate
• A pus-like discharge from the penis. This can be white, yellow, beige or slightly green
• Swelling or redness at the opening of the penis
• Swelling or pain in the testicles
• A persistently sore throat

The early symptoms of Syphilis can be easily missed and can even go years without being diagnosed. Syphilis is usually divided into four main stages:

Primary stage: Usually occurring about three to four weeks after contracting the bacteria, the first sign is usually a small, round sore known as a chancre. Highly contagious but usually painless, the sore may appear wherever the bacteria entered the body, including the mouth, genitals or rectum.

Secondary stage: During the second stage of Syphilis, you may develop skin rashes or a sore throat. While the rash usually appears on the palms or soles of the feet, it may be found anywhere on the body.

Other symptoms can include:

• Headaches
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fatigue
• Aching joints
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Hair loss

Latent Stage: At this stage, the primary and secondary symptoms will vanish and there will be no other evident symptoms. Don’t be fooled by this stage, the bacteria will still be in your body.

Tertiary stage: This is the final stage of Syphilis, which can occur years or even decades after the initial infection. Tertiary Syphilis can be life-threatening, and may cause any of the following outcomes:

• Blindness
• Deafness
• Mental illness
• Memory loss
• Soft tissue and bone damage
• Neurological disorders, including stroke or meningitis
• Heart disease
• Neurosyphilis—an infection of the brain or spinal cord

Hepatitis B is spread via the bodily fluids of infected people. The condition affects the liver. Impacting people of all ages, the symptoms of Hepatitis B include:

• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rashes
• Pain in the right side of the stomach
• Fever
• Sore joints
• Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation. It more commonly occurs through contact with infected blood, but can also be contracted through sexual intercourse. 

There are two types of Hepatitis C: acute Hepatitis C and Chronic Hepatitis C. Chronic Hepatitis C is often considered a ‘silent’ infection, and won’t cause symptoms until enough damage has been done to the liver. 

Acute Hepatitis C lasts six months or less. Symptoms include: 

• Fever
• Exhaustion
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Joint or muscle pain
• Abnormalities in urine or bowel movements
• Yellowing of eyes or skin

Causing damage to the immune system, HIV reduces your body’s ability to fight off illness, and is transmitted through bodily fluid such as blood, semen, vaginal and rectal fluids and breast milk. Left untreated, HIV is likely to result in AIDS. 

Symptoms of HIV can vary from mild to severe, may come and go, and can often be mistaken for flu symptoms. Signs to look out for include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Swollen lymph nodes
• General aches and pains
• Skin rash
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Nausea
• Upset stomach