dozens of illnesses, so people infected may not know they have the virus. For example, the first stage of HIV is called an acute HIV infection, which can cause flu-like symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks of infection. Common STD symptoms include:
- Chills
- Fever
- Rash
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
Doesn’t that sound like a regular case of the flu? Or a bad cold that’s “going around”?
When HIV reaches its second stage—the stage known as an asymptomatic HIV infection, chronic HIV infection, or clinical latency—it continues to multiply within the body without showing symptoms. For some, this dormant stage can last for more than ten years.
STDs with No Symptoms
1. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs in women under 25 and is known as a “silent” infection, since most people never experience symptoms. Symptoms of chlamydia include abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation during urination several weeks after sex with an infected partner. It can be easy to confuse these symptoms with something like a yeast infection, so it’s important to see your ob/gyn if you notice changes in discharge, pain or burnin. But, again, it could have no symptoms at all.
If chlamydia goes untreated, it can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes, resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease. Pelvic inflammatory disease can cause scarring in the fallopian tubes, which can lead to permanent damage that causes infertility. Scarring can also cause an ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening for both mom and baby.
The CDC recommends annual chlamydia screenings for women under 25, pregnant women, or anyone with a new sexual partner (or if you’re not sure of your partner’s STI status). If found early, chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics.
2. Gonorrhea
Similar to chlamydia, gonorrhea is most common in sexually active women under 25 and the majority will never experience symptoms. While the two are different infections, chlamydia and gonorrhea are commonly diagnosed together. Mild symptoms for both are similar (if they ever show up).
Gonorrhea is an infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. More than 550,000 cases were reported to the CDC last year, making it the second most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.
Most women with gonorrhea don’t have any symptoms, according to the CDC. Leaving gonorrhea untreated can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, scar tissue that blocks the fallopian tubes, difficulty getting pregnant, and chronic abdominal pain. Pregnant women can also transmit the infection to their baby during delivery, which can cause serious problems in an infant.