STD symptoms

Overview

Many STIs are asymptomatic — routine screening matters. When symptoms occur, common ones include discharge, dysuria, sores, or rash.

Symptoms to watch for

• Chlamydia/gonorrhea: burning urination, discharge (often none)
• Herpes: painful genital blisters or ulcers, initial flu-like symptoms
• Syphilis: painless chancre → rash → later systemic
• Trichomoniasis: frothy discharge, itching

How it's diagnosed

Urine or swab NAAT for chlamydia/gonorrhea. HSV PCR of lesions or serology. RPR/treponemal for syphilis. Wet mount or NAAT for trich. Comprehensive panel adds HIV, syphilis, hepatitis.

Treatment

Chlamydia: doxycycline 7 days. Gonorrhea: ceftriaxone IM. Herpes: valacyclovir. Trich: metronidazole. Syphilis: penicillin (referral).