HIV & STI Symptoms & Treatments

STIs

  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are very common. Millions of new infections occur every year in the United States. STIs pass from one person to another through anal, vaginal, and oral sex. They also can spread through intimate physical contact like heavy petting, though this is not very common.
  • There are dozens of STIs. Some STIs, such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, are spread mainly by sexual contact. Other diseases, including mpox, can be spread sexually but are also spread through non-sexual contact.
  • STIs don’t always cause symptoms or may only cause mild symptoms. Therefore, it is possible to have an infection and not know it. Having a STI, even without symptoms, can increase your risk of getting HIV. That is why getting an STI test is important if you are having sex. If you receive a positive STI diagnosis, know that all are treatable with medicine and some are curable entirely. Having an STI, even if you have no symptoms, can increase your risk of getting HIV. It is important to get tested regularly so you can get treatment if needed.
  • Below are symptoms and treatment options for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea:
    • Syphilis:
      • During the first (primary) stage of syphilis, you may notice a single sore or multiple sores. These sores usually occur in, on, or around the penis, vagina, anus, rectum, and lips or in the mouth. Sores are usually (but not always) firm, round, and painless.
      • Antibiotics, specifically penicillin, are used to treat syphilis. Dosage requirements and length of treatment depend on the stage of illness.
    • Chlamydia:
      • Chlamydia often has no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems. If symptoms occur, they may not appear until several weeks after having sex with a partner who has chlamydia. Symptoms in men can include a discharge from their penis, a burning sensation when peeing, and pain and swelling in one or both testicles (although this is less common).
      • Antibiotics, such as doxycycline, are used to treat chlamydia! Dosage requirements and length of treatment depends on the stage of illness. All doses of antibiotics, if administered over multiple days, should be completed as prescribed.
    • Gonorrhea:
      • Gonorrhea often has no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems. Men who do have symptoms may have a burning sensation when peeing, a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis, and painful or swollen testicles (although this is less common). Rectal infections may either cause no symptoms or cause symptoms in both men and women that may include discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, and painful bowel movements.
      • Antibiotics, specifically ceftriaxone, are used to treat gonorrhea! After receiving treatment, you can still spread gonorrhea to others for up to seven days.

HIV

  • Symptoms:
    • Some people have no symptoms at all, but most people have flu-like symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks after infection. Symptoms may last for a few days or several weeks. Having these symptoms alone doesn’t mean you have HIV, as other illnesses can cause similar symptoms.
    • The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested.
    • There are three stages of HIV infection (see When does HIV become AIDS? for information about Stage 3):
    • Stage 1: Acute HIV Infection
      • People have a large amount of HIV in their blood and are very contagious
      • Many people have flu-like symptoms
      • If you have flu-like symptoms and think you may have been exposed to HIV, get tested
    • Stage 2: Chronic HIV Infection (also called asymptomatic HIV infection or clinical latency)
      • HIV is still active and continues to reproduce in the body.
      • People may not have any symptoms or get sick during this phase but can transmit HIV.
      • People who take their HIV treatment as prescribed may never move into Stage 3 (AIDS).
      • Without HIV treatment, this stage may last a decade or longer or may progress faster. At the end of this stage, the amount of HIV in the blood (viral load) goes up and the person may move into Stage 3 (AIDS).
  • Treatment:
    • Receiving an HIV diagnosis can be life changing. You may feel many emotions—sadness, hopelessness, or anger. Allied health care providers and social service providers can help you work through the early stages of your diagnosis. It is important to know that HIV treatment can help you live a long, healthy life.
    • HIV treatment (antiretroviral therapy or ART) is recommended for all people with HIV, regardless of how long they’ve had the virus or how healthy they are.
    • HIV treatment can make the amount of HIV in the blood (viral load) so low that a test can’t detect it (undetectable viral load). Getting and keeping an undetectable viral load is the best way to stay healthy and protect others.

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