Curiosity can strike unexpectedly, especially when it comes to our health. We all want answers when concerns arise, and understanding when symptoms of STDs start is no exception. It’s only natural to wonder when signs of these infections might surface, whether for peace of mind or prompt action.
ARCpoint Labs is your trusted provider of clinical testing services in Omaha. Read on to learn more about common STD causes, symptoms, and timelines.
What Causes STDs? And How do They Spread?
There are three leading causes of STDs. Some are caused by bacteria, and others by viruses. A few STIs are the result of parasites. These infections are transmitted mainly through unprotected sexual intercourse. Other common ways that sexually transmitted diseases spread are:
- Sharing needles
- Contacting bodily fluids
- Mother-to-child transmission
Common STIs & Symptom Timeline
There are over 20 sexually transmitted diseases, each having varying symptoms and incubation periods. Below is an overview of the signs of each disease and the duration they take to exhibit symptoms.
Chlamydia
When do symptoms of STDs start? Symptoms of chlamydia appear within 1 to 3 weeks. Some people with this bacterial STI might not experience symptoms. The most common signs of this STD include:
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Testicular pain
- Abnormal vaginal or penile discharge
- Abdominal pain
- Painful urination
Genital Herpes
Thirteen percent of Americans have the virus that causes genital herpes. Symptoms of the viral disease appear within 4 to 7 days. The HSV2 virus can remain inactive in your body for several months. The most common signs of this STI are:
- Painful urination
- Tingling in the genitals
- Painful genital blisters
Gonorrhoea
On average, 700 thousand Americans get gonorrhea each year. When do STD symptoms start? The earliest symptoms of this bacterial STI appear after two weeks. The most common gonorrhea symptoms include:
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Yellow or green discharge
- Pain during urination
Syphilis
The symptoms of this bacterial disease appear 2-3 weeks after exposure. Nonetheless, the signs may only appear several weeks or months after infection. The most common symptoms associated with this bacterial STI include:
- Painless sore on the genitals
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Muscles ache
Hepatitis B (HBV)
Affecting 1.2 million people in the US, Hepatitis B is another common STD. Symptoms of this viral disease can appear between 2 and 16 weeks after infection. The most noticeable symptoms you are likely to experience as an HBV patient include:
- Jaundice
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Dark urine
HIV
Reports from HIV.Gov indicate that the US has around 1.2 million people living with HIV. When do symptoms of STDs start? HIV symptoms can appear within two weeks after infection. However, in some people, symptoms may be absent for several years. Common signs of this viral STI are:
- Flu-like illness
- Swollen glands
- Pain in the muscles
- Weight loss
Getting Diagnosed for STDS & STIS
Untreated STDs can lead to severe complications. On that account, you should get medical attention whenever you suspect an STI. Your doctor will use your sexual history and a urine or blood test to determine if you have an STD.
Our facility, ARCpoint Labs of Omaha, stands among the best STD testing facilities in Omaha. We offer discreet testing to make STD testing comfortable and confidential for you. Since our STI tests are accurate, you can rely on them when making proactive sexual health decisions.
Get Peace of Mind With Reliable & Accurate STD Testing Services in Omaha
ARCpoint Labs of Omaha has been in the medical diagnostic business for over 20 years. We offer all types of health and wellness testing, including STD, COVID, drug, DNA, and DOT testing. Clients rate us highly because our services are fast, confidential, and accurate.
Contact us to schedule your STI testing appointment.