HIV HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through sexual contact, sharing needles, mother to baby during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. Some people have flu-like symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks after infection (called acute HIV infection). These symptoms may last for a few days or several weeks. Possible symptoms include: Fever, Chills, Rash, Night sweats, Muscle aches, Sore throat, Fatigue, Swollen lymph nodes, and Mouth ulcers. HIV Specific Resources Hepatitis C Hepatitis Cis a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, long-term illness. HCV is often described as “acute,” meaning a new infection, or “chronic,” meaning long-term infection. The hepatitis C virus is usually spread when someone comes into contact with blood from a person infected with the virus. This can happen through sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment, from mother to baby at birth, health care exposures, sexual contact, or unregulated tattoos or body piercings. Acute hepatitis C occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C can be a shortterm illness, but for most people, acute infection leads to chronic infection. The majority of people who contract Hep C don’t know because they never develop symptoms, making regular testing essential. Chronic hepatitis C can be a lifelong infection if left untreated. Chronic hepatitis C can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer, and even death. When present, signs and symptoms of HCV infections can include: yellow skin or eyes not wanting to eat upset stomach throwing up stomach pain fever dark urine light-colored stool joint pain feeling tired Herpes The Buncombe County STI Clinic can only perform a herpes test during an active outbreak. We do NOT perform the herpes blood test. Herpes is an STI caused by two types of viruses- HSV-1 and HSV- 2. There are two types of Herpes infections- Oral and Genital. Most people with genital herpes have no or very mild symptoms. Mild symptoms may go unnoticed or be mistaken for other skin conditions like a pimple or ingrown hair. Because of this, most people do not know they have a herpes infection. You can get genital herpes by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the infection. You can get herpes if you have contact with: A herpes sore; Saliva from a partner with an oral herpes infection; Genital fluids from a partner with a genital herpes infection; Skin in the oral area of a partner with oral herpes; or Skin in the genital area of a partner with genital herpes. You also can get genital herpes from a sex partner who does not have a visible sore or is unaware of their infection. It is also possible to get genital herpes if you receive oral sex from a partner with oral herpes. Herpes sores usually appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth. This is known as having an “outbreak”. The blisters break and leave painful sores that may take a week or more to heal. Flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, body aches, or swollen glands) also may occur during the first outbreak. People who experience an initial outbreak of herpes can have repeated outbreaks, especially if they have HSV-2. However, repeat outbreaks are usually shorter and less severe than the first outbreak. Although genital herpes is a lifelong infection, the number of outbreaks may decrease over time. Chlamydia Chlamydia often has no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems, even without symptoms. If symptoms occur, they may not appear until several weeks after having sex with a partner who has chlamydia. You can get chlamydia by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has chlamydia. Also, you can still get chlamydia even if your sex partner does not ejaculate (cum). A pregnant person with chlamydia can give the infection to their baby during childbirth. Even when chlamydia has no symptoms, it can damage a woman’s reproductive system. Women with symptoms may notice An abnormal vaginal discharge; and A burning sensation when peeing. 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). Men and women can also get chlamydia in their rectum. This happens either by having receptive anal sex, or by spread from another infected site (such as the vagina). While these infections often cause no symptoms, they can cause Rectal pain; Discharge; and Bleeding An unusual sore; A smelly discharge; Burning when peeing; or Bleeding between periods. Bacterial Vaginosis Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition that happens when there is too much of certain bacteria in the vagina. This changes the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina. The condition most often occurs in those who are sexually active. Douching, not using condoms, and having new or multiple sex partners can upset the normal balance of vaginal bacteria, increasing your risk for getting BV. Many people with BV do not have symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you may notice: A thin white or gray vaginal discharge; Pain, itching, or burning in the vagina; A strong fish-like odor, especially after sex; Burning when peeing; and Itching around the outside of the vagina.
Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through sexual contact; sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; or from mother to baby at birth. When present, signs and symptoms of acute HBV infections can include: fever fatigue loss of appetite nausea vomiting abdominal pain dark urine clay-colored stool joint pain jaundice Syphilis Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause serious health problems without treatment. You can get syphilis by direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Syphilis can also spread from a mother with syphilis to her unborn baby. Infection develops in stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary). Each stage can have different signs and symptoms. Primary- During the first (primary) stage of syphilis, you may notice a single sore or multiple sores. The sore is the location where syphilis entered your body. These sores usually occur in, on, or around the penis; vagina; anus; rectum; and lips or in the mouth. Secondary- During the secondary stage, you may have skin rashes and/or sores in your mouth, vagina, or anus. This stage usually starts with a rash on one or more areas of your body. The rash can show up when your primary sore is healing or several weeks after the sore has healed. The rash can be on the palms of your hands and/or the bottoms of your feet and look rough; red; or reddish-brown. The rash usually won’t itch, and it is sometimes so faint that you won’t notice it. Other symptoms may include: fever; swollen lymph glands; sore throat; patchy hair loss; headaches; weight loss; muscle aches; and fatigue (feeling very tired). Latent Stage The latent stage of syphilis is a period when there are no visible signs or symptoms. Without treatment, you can continue to have syphilis in your body for years. Tertiary Stage Most people with untreated syphilis do not develop tertiary syphilis. However, when it does happen, it can affect many different organ systems. These include the heart and blood vessels, and the brain and nervous system. Tertiary syphilis is very serious and would occur 10–30 years after your infection began. In tertiary syphilis, the disease damages your internal organs and can result in death. A healthcare provider can usually diagnose tertiary syphilis with the help of multiple tests. Neurosyphilis, Ocular Syphilis, and Otosyphilis Without treatment, syphilis can spread to the brain and nervous system (neurosyphilis), the eye (ocular syphilis), or the ear (otosyphilis). This can happen during any of the stages described above. Signs and symptoms of neurosyphilis can include: severe headache; muscle weakness and/or trouble with muscle movements; and changes to your mental state (trouble focusing, confusion, personality change) and/or dementia (problems with memory, thinking, and/or decision making). Signs and symptoms of ocular syphilis can include: eye pain and/or redness; and changes in your vision or even blindness. Signs and symptoms of otosyphilis may include: hearing loss; ringing, buzzing, roaring, or hissing in the ears (“tinnitus”); and dizziness or vertigo (feeling like you or your surroundings are moving or spinning). Gonorrhea Gonorrhea is an STI that can cause infection in the genitals, rectum, and throat. It is very common, especially among young people ages 15-24 years. You can get gonorrhea by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has gonorrhea. A pregnant person with gonorrhea can give the infection to their baby during childbirth. Gonorrhea often has no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems, even without symptoms. Most women with gonorrhea do not have any symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they are often mild and can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. Symptoms in women can include: Painful or burning sensation when peeing; Increased vaginal discharge; and Vaginal bleeding between periods. 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. Trichomoniasis Trichomoniasis (aka trich) is an STI caused by a parasite. About 70% of people with the infection do not have any signs or symptoms. Sexually active people can get trich by having sex without a condom with a partner who has trich. When trich does cause symptoms, they can range from mild irritation to severe inflammation. Some people get symptoms within 5 to 28 days after getting the infection. Others do not develop symptoms until much later. Symptoms can come and go. Men with trich may notice: Itching or irritation inside the penis; Burning after peeing or ejaculating; and Discharge from the penis. Women with trich may notice: Itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals; Discomfort when peeing; and A clear, white, yellowish, or greenish vaginal discharge (i.e., thin discharge or increased volume) with a fishy smell. Having trich can make sex feel unpleasant. Without treatment, the infection can last for months or even years. Non-gonococcal Urethritis (NGU) NGU is an STI caused by pathogens (germs) spread during sex. Transmission can occur even if body fluids are not exchanged during sexual contact. Symptoms of NGU include: Men (urethral infection) Discharge from the penis Burning or pain when urinating (peeing) Itching, irritation, or tenderness Underwear stain Women (vaginal/urethral infection) The germs that cause NGU in men might cause other infections in women. These might include vaginitis or mucopurulent cervicitis (MPC). Women may also be asymptomatic (have no symptoms). Symptoms of NGU in women can include: Discharge from the vagina Burning or pain when urinating (peeing) Abdominal pain or abnormal vaginal bleeding. This may be a sign that the infection has progressed to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Anal or Oral Infections Anal infection may result in rectal itching, discharge, or pain on defecation. Oral infection may occur. Most (90%) are asymptomatic, but some people might have a sore throat. Yeast Infection (Candidiasis) A yeast infection (Candidiasis) is an infection caused by a yeast (a type of fungus) called Candida. Candida normally lives inside the body (in places such as the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina) and on skin without causing any problems. Candida can cause infections if it grows out of control. Candidiasis in the vagina is commonly called a “vaginal yeast infection.” Another name for this infection is “vaginal candidiasis” Vaginal candidiasis is common, though more research is needed to understand how many women are affected. Women who are more likely to get vaginal candidiasis include those who: Are pregnant Use hormonal contraceptives (for example, birth control pills) Have diabetes Have a weakened immune system (for example, due to HIV infection or medicines that weaken the immune system, such as steroids and chemotherapy) Are taking or have recently taken antibiotics Symptoms The symptoms of vaginal candidiasis include:1,2 Vaginal itching or soreness Pain during sexual intercourse Pain or discomfort when urinating Abnormal vaginal discharge Although most vaginal candidiasis is mild, some women can develop severe infections involving redness, swelling, and cracks in the wall of the vagina.