Signs of STD

Overview Herpes simplex virus (HSV), known as herpes, is a common infection that can cause painful blisters or ulcers. It primarily spreads by skin-to-skin contact. It is treatable but not curable. There are two types of herpes simplex virus. Type 1 (HSV-1) mostly spreads by oral contact and causes infections in or around the mouth (oral herpes or cold sores). It can also cause genital herpes. Most adults are infected with HSV-1. Type 2 (HSV-2) spreads by sexual contact and causes genital herpes. Most people have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. The infection can cause painful blisters or ulcers that can recur over time. Medicines can reduce symptoms but can't cure the infection. Recurrent symptoms of both oral and genital herpes may be distressing. Genital herpes may also be stigmatizing and have an impact on sexual relationships. However, in time, most people with either kind of herpes adjust to living with the infection. Symptoms Most people with herpes have no symptoms or onl...

If you're wondering how to identify a sexually transmitted infection (STI), pictures can sometimes help with recognizing the characteristic signs and symptoms. However, most people with an STI won't have sores, discharge, or any other symptoms worth noting. The only way to know for sure if you have an STI is to get tested and diagnosed by a healthcare provider. This article and the following STI pictures are intended to provide you some idea of what to look for. They are not meant to diagnose your condition or serve as a substitute for proper medical care. Oral Herpes (Cold Sores) Cold sores around the mouth. Avatar_023 / Getty Images Cold sores, also known as fever blisters or oral herpes , are mainly caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Cold sores are small, painful blisters that most often appear around the lips. They usually break open, crust over, and heal within a period of seven to...

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause symptoms on the penis or other areas around the groin.  Some symptoms can be relatively mild, while others can cause problems ranging from pain to infertility and cancer. This article discusses common signs  symptoms of an STI on both the penis and other parts of the body. It also describes several non-STI-related conditions that can cause many of the same symptoms.  PeopleImages / Getty Images  Penile Symptoms STIs often cause symptoms that affect the penis or groin area. These symptoms can be caused by things other than an STI but, just to be safe, have it checked out by a doctor. If you have an STI, there are five common symptoms that can affect the penis: Penile pain or discomfort : Pain or discomfort with urination or ejaculation may also be a sign of an STI. Discharge from the penis : A thick white, yellow, or green discharge f...

Overview More than 30 different bacteria, viruses and parasites are known to be transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. Some STIs can also be transmitted from mother-to-child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. Eight pathogens are linked to the greatest incidence of STIs. Of these, 4 are currently curable: syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. The other 4 are incurable viral infections: hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus (HSV), HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV). In addition, emerging outbreaks of new infections that can be acquired by sexual contact such as monkeypox, Shigella sonnei , Neisseria meningitidis , Ebola and Zika, as well as re-emergence of neglected STIs such as lymphogranuloma venereum. These herald increasing challenges in the provision of adequate services for STIs prevention and control. Scope of the problem STIs have a profound impact on sexual and reproductive health worldwide. More than 1 ...

PHILADELPHIA – Increasing patients' out of pocket costs for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), medications, which have been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of HIV infection, could lead to a significant reduction in PrEP use and a rise in HIV infection rates, according to a new study co-led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study, published today in the January issue of Health Affairs , was designed, in part, to explore the impact that out-of-pocket cost increases could have, depending on the outcome of an ongoing court case challenging certain provisions of the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA). The researchers used a large, proprietary database of medical and pharmacy claims to determine the rates at which patients failed to fill (i.e., abandoned) insurer-approved PrEP prescriptions at different levels of out-of-pocket costs. Their findings su...