STIs are also known as STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases). Some of them used to be called VD (Venereal Disease) – named after Venus, the Goddess of Love.
How do you know if you’ve got an STI?
It may be pretty obvious. But a lot of times it isn't. You may show no symptoms at all. Women are less likely to show symptoms than men. The most common signs in men or women are:
- Unusual discharge of liquid from vagina or penis – it could be thick or watery, cloudy, white or yellow. It might be smelly.
- Pain or burning when you urinate.
- Urinating more than usual.
- Itching, rashes, lumps, ulcers, sores or blisters on or around the genitals.
- Pain in the genitals.
- Pain during sex.
- For women, bleeding between periods or after sex can be a sign.
When do the symptoms show?
Symptoms usually appear within 2 to 14 days, but they can take up to 4 weeks (sometimes even longer). In the case of HIV infection, there are no symptoms – perhaps for many years. After infection, it takes 3 to 6 months before the test for HIV can work.
Some common STIs, such as , often don’t have any symptoms (particularly in women). So you could be infected (and infectious), but not know it.