How Do You Get Tested for STDs?

STDs are sexually transmitted diseases (also called sexually transmitted infections or STIs), which are common illnesses passed from person-to-person through sexual activity such as vaginal, oral, or anal sex. 

Common STDs include: 

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Hepatitis
• Herpes
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) 
• Syphilis
• Trichomoniasis
• Other STDs
  • Chancroid
  • Scabies
  • Pubic lice

Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may vary depending on the infection. 

Chlamydia may not cause any symptoms. When symptoms of chlamydia occur, they may include:

• Abnormal vaginal or penile discharge
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding from anal infection
• Pain and swelling in one or both testicles in men (less common)

Gonorrhea may not cause any symptoms. When symptoms of gonorrhea occur, they may include:

• Pain or burning sensation when urinating
• White, yellow, or green discharge from the penis
• Increased vaginal discharge
• Vaginal bleeding between periods
• Rectal pain or bleeding
• Anal itching or soreness
• Painful bowel movements
• Painful or swollen testicles (less common)

Hepatitis symptoms may include: 

• Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach upset or pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Dark urine 
• Light-colored or clay-colored stools
• Diarrhea
• Joint pain
• Tiredness/fatigue

Herpes may not cause any symptoms. When symptoms of genital herpes occur, they may include:

• Blisters in the genital area
  • In women, this area includes the vagina, anus, buttocks, or thighs
    • Sores inside the vagina may be difficult to see
    • Women are more likely to have difficulty or pain urinating 
  • In men, this area includes the penis, scrotum, anus, buttocks, or thighs
  • Sores may look like pimples or fluid-filled blisters that are red, white, or yellow
  • Blisters may become painful open sores, which ooze and develop a yellow-colored crust as they heal
  • There may be a single sore or a cluster of sores
• Blisters on the mouth or lips
• Fever
• Headache
• Pain in the joints
• Swollen lymph nodes in the groin

Human papillomavirus (HPV) may not cause any symptoms. When symptoms of human papillomavirus (HPV) occur, they may include:

• Genital warts 
  • Usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps 
  • May be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower
  • May appear pink or flesh-colored
  • Can occur on the anus, cervix, scrotum, groin, thigh, or penis

Syphilis symptoms vary by stage. 

• Symptoms of the primary stage of syphilis include:
  • Single sore or multiple sores
  • Sores are usually (but not always) firm, round, and painless
• Symptoms of the secondary stage of syphilis include:
  • Skin rashes and/or sores in the mouth, vagina, or anus
    • Rash can look like rough, red, or reddish-brown spots on the palms of the hands and/or the bottoms of the feet
  • Fever
  • Swollen lymph glands
  • Sore throat
  • Patchy hair loss
  • Headaches
  • Weight loss
  • Muscle aches
  • Fatigue
• The latent stage syphilis is a period when there are no visible signs or symptoms
• Symptoms of the tertiary stage of syphilis include:
  • Not everyone with untreated syphilis will develop tertiary syphilis
  • This stage is very serious and can affect many organ systems including the heart and blood vessels, and the brain and nervous system
  • Can be fatal

Trichomoniasis may not cause any symptoms. When symptoms of trichomoniasis occur, they may include:

• Pus-filled thin vaginal discharge with a foul odor (may appear green-yellow and frothy)
• Clear or mucusy penile discharge 
• Itching
• Burning
• Soreness
• Pain or discomfort when urinating
• Urinary frequency
• Lower abdominal pain
• Painful sexual intercourse 
• Bleeding after sex
• Symptoms may be worse during menstruation
• Vulvar redness
• Preterm delivery, and delivery of a low birth weight infant in pregnant women
• Mild itching or burning sensation in the penis after sexual intercourse
• T. vaginalis in men has also been associated with prostatitis, balanoposthitis, epididymitis, infertility, and prostate cancer in men

Babies born to mothers who have trichomoniasis may become infected during delivery. Symptoms of trichomoniasis in newborns include: 

• Fever
• Respiratory problems
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Nasal discharge
• Vaginal discharge

The causes of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) vary depending on the infection. 

• Chlamydia is caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis
• Gonorrhea is caused by infection with the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• Hepatitis A and B are caused by viruses
• Herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection
• Syphilis is caused by infection with the bacterium Treponema pallidum
• Trichomoniasis is caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis

Most sexually transmitted diseases are passed from person-to-person through sexual activity such as vaginal, oral, or anal sex. STDs may also be transmitted from person-to-person through intimate physical contact, such as kissing or heavy petting, though this uncommon.

Viral hepatitis A can also be spread by caring for someone who is ill, using drugs with others, and by eating foods contaminated with the virus. 

Viral hepatitis B can also be spread from an infected mother to her baby during birth, by sharing personal items (such as toothbrushes, razors, or medical equipment) with an infected person, by direct contact with the blood or open sores of an infected person, and by exposure to an infected person’s blood through needlesticks or other sharp instruments.

Treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may vary depending on the infection, as detailed in the STD Treatments table below.