Health
How soon do STI symptoms appear?
It really depends on which sexually transmitted disease that you have. Some symptoms can develop within a few days or weeks, but in some extreme cases it can take months or years for symptoms to appear.
Sometimes you may not have any symptoms, and may not know that you have an STI. If there is a chance that you have an STI then we recommend going to a GP or sexual health clinic where you will be able to get a free and confidential check up.
Below are some more common sexually transmitted infections, with a bit of information about how they can manifest themselves in your body.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia symptoms usually appear between 1 to 3 weeks, but can start much later. About 50-70% of people who are infected with chlamydia are symptom-less. However, symptoms can include discharge from the vagina or the penis, peeing pain, vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex, pelvic pain in women, and testicular pain in men.
Genital herpes
Symptoms of genital herpes usually appear within 4 to 7 days, how they may not start until months, or even years later. In fact, most people do not have any symptoms when first infected. Symptoms include small and painful blisters around the genitals, pain whilst peeing, and itching around the genitalia.
Genital warts
Genital warts usually manifest around three weeks to many months, or even years after contracting the virus. Most people with the virus do not develop obvious warts. However, usual symptoms include small, fleshy growths or bumps in the genitals or around the anus.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea symptoms usually appear within two weeks of being infected. However, about 10 out of 100 men, and 50 of 100 women who are infected, don’t have any symptoms. Symptoms of gonorrhoea include green or yellow discharge, and pain whilst peeing.
Pubic lice
It can take several weeks before symptoms of pubic lice appear, but symptoms include; itching of the infected areas, inflammation caused by scratching, black powder in your underwear, blue spots of blood on your skin.
Syphilis
Syphilis symptoms usually appear after 3 weeks, but can start earlier, or later. Symptoms are not obvious and may come and go. Symptoms include one or more small sore or ulcer on the genitalia, or a blotchy rash and flu-like symptoms that may follow a few weeks later.
Tichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis symptoms usually appear within four weeks, however could start later. Around 50% of infected people do not have any symptoms, but if they do, symptoms include; discharge from the vagina and penis, pain whilst peeing, and discomfort around the vagina.
HIV
HIV symptoms usually appear within two to siz weeks, however not everyone gets the same symptoms, but if they do, they usually last one to two weeks. Symptoms include; flu-like symptoms, and a red rash on the body.
If the symptoms disappear, you may not have further symptoms for years, however the virus will remain in your system.
If you have any STI symptoms then it is important that you go straight to a sexual health clinic to get checked out.
