Basic Facts - Commom STIs
(Sexually Transmitted Infections)

African Americans and HIV/AIDS

Chlamydia |Gonorrhea | Genital Warts/HPV | Pubic Lice ("Crabs") & Scabies
Syphilis | Herpes | Transmission | Prevention

Chlamydia

Signs and Symptoms

• Begin 7-21 days after exposure
• Many people have no symptoms

For Women:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge
• Burning or pain during urination
• Pain in lower abdomen
• Anal discomfort

For Men:

• Watery or thin white discharge from penis
• Burning or pain during urination
• Anal Discomfort

Gonorrhea

Signs and Symptoms

• Usually begins 2-7 days after exposure
• May be mild or absent, especially in women

For Women:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge
• Burning or pain during urination or bowel movement
• More pain than usual during periods
• Cramps & pain in lower abdomen
• Anal discomfort, itching or discharge

For Men:

• Thick, white or yellow discharge (pus) from penis
• Burning or pain during urination or bowel movement
• Anal discomfort, itching or discharge

Genital Warts/HPV

Signs and Symptoms

• Develop 1-6 months after exposure
• Soft fleshy lumps on or near sex organs or anus
• Itching or burning around sex organs or anus
• Sometimes hidden in the vagina or anus
• Warts may go away with treatment, but the HPV infection continues and may still infect others

Pubic Lice ("Crabs") & Scabies

Signs and Symptoms

• Severe itching
• Lice are sometimes visible in hairy body areas

Syphilis

Signs and Symptoms

1st Stage (Primary syphilis)

• Symptoms show up 1-12 weeks after exposure
• A painless, open sore on the mouth, sex organs, or anus
• Sores can be “hidden” in the vagina or rectum;
• sores last 1-5 weeks
• Sore goes away, syphilis remains

2nd Stage (Secondary syphilis)

• Symptoms show up 6 weeks to 6 months after sore appears.
• A rash anywhere on the body (commonly hands and feet)
• Flu-like symptoms

Latent Stage

• No sores or rashes, but syphilis is still in the blood and can affect the heart, brain and other organs over time.

Herpes

Signs and Symptoms

• Develop 2-30 days after exposure
• Small, painful fluid filled blisters on the mouth, sex organ, or anus
• Blisters progress to open sores that crust over and heal within 1 to 2 weeks
• Blisters may be “hidden” in the vagina or anus
• First episode most severe, subsequent milder
• Itching or burning on skin where blisters are about to appear
• Blisters go away, but infection still in the body

Transmission

• Unprotected anal, vaginal, or oral sex
• Contact with infected person’s lesions or sores
• Viral shedding (infection without symptoms)
• Mother-to-child

Prevention

• Abstinence (No Sex and No Drugs)
• Consistent and Correct Latex Condom Usage during vaginal, anal, or oral sex
• Avoid open sores, lesions, and blisters
• Limit number of sex partners