What if I have an STI and don’t know it?

To many people who have had sex, at some point they have wondered if they have a sexually transmitted disease (STI). It may be because they have symptoms, because there is something that simply doesn’t feel right, because they had unprotected sex and were left with doubts, or because too much time has passed since their last checkup… or they have never had one.

Let’s say for some reason you start to have doubts and start searching on the internet. You come across many names of STIs, symptoms, photos… and the worst: you discover that you could have one (or several!) without even knowing it. Yes, many times STIs have no symptoms and are dangerously silent.

The most common STIs you’ve probably heard of are: human papillomavirus (HPV), genital and oral herpes, hepatitis B, HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, pubic lice, genital warts, scabies, trichomoniasis, and molluscum contagiosum.

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Each one has different symptoms, which may come and go, making you think you’ve already recovered, when in reality the infection is still there. In addition, they can be very mild or resemble other health problems. All this makes it very difficult to know if you have an STI just by how you look or feel.

Common Symptoms That Could Indicate an STI:

• Sores or lumps on the genitals, thighs, buttocks, or surrounding areas.
• Unusual discharge from the vagina or penis.
• Burning sensation when urinating or frequent need to urinate.
• Itching, pain, irritation, or swelling in the genitals or anus.
• Flu-like symptoms: fever, body aches, swollen glands, fatigue.

But be careful: these symptoms can also be due to other things, such as urinary or vaginal infections caused by fungi or bacteria. That’s why it’s not advisable to self-diagnose or self-medicate, as you could worsen the situation. It’s also not a good idea to ignore it and hope it “goes away on its own.” Many STIs can cause serious complications if left untreated, such as infertility or an increased risk of contracting HIV. Furthermore, you can infect others without knowing it. And although searching on the internet can be tempting, over-information and misinformation can confuse you more or lead you to remedies that are not recommended. The good news is that most STIs are easily cured with medication. And those that have no cure can be treated and controlled to lead a healthy life. The sooner you receive attention, the easier it will be to treat them. The only safe way to know if you have an STI is to get tested.

So if you have any doubts, suspicions, symptoms or if you know that your sexual partner has an STI, get tested soon. This way you can:

• Knowing for sure if you have an STI and which one.
• Start treatment as soon as possible.
• Prevent complications and contagions.
• Take care of yourself and those you care about.