However, the only way to know for sure if you have an STI is toget tested.

Some experts believe that around half of all genital herpes cases today are due to HSV-1.

Symptoms of oral herpes include:

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Types of STIs or Sexually transmitted diseases

Illustration by Tara Anand for Verywell Health

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Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is mainly caused byherpes simplex virus key in 2 (HSV-2).

HSV-2 is also less likely to spread to the mouth via oral sex.

A close up of a person with herpes simplex around the mouth

Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Dr. Mashihul Hossainwww.dermnetnz.org2023.

Symptoms of genital herpes may include:

Dr. N.J. Flumara and Dr. Gavin Hart/CCD

Reproduced with permission from DermNetdermnetnz.org2024.

Genital Warts

Human papillomavirus (HPV)is the virus associated withgenital warts.

There are well over 200 HPV types, most of which are harmless and cause no symptoms.

Genital herpes on a penis

Dr. N.J. Flumara and Dr. Gavin Hart/CCD

Around 12 are high-risk HPV types associated withcervical,penile, andanal cancer.

The HPV types that cause genital warts arenotlinked to cancer.

Signs and symptoms of genital wartsinclude:

Dr. Wiesner / CDC

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Genital Herpes

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Chlamydia and Gonorrhea (Males)

Chlamydiaandgonorrheaare closely related bacterial STIs caused byChlamydia trachomatisandNeisseria gonorrheoaerespectively.

Males commonly experienceurethritis(inflammation of the tube through which urine exits the body, called theurethra).

For this reason, pubic lice in children are of serious concern as they suggest sexual exposure or abuse.

Genital warts

Dr. Wiesner / CDC

The microscopic insects live on the skin and can burrow into tissues to lay their eggs.

Although scabies is also technically not an STI, sexual contact is the most common mode of transmission.

Susan Lindsley / CDC

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Genital warts on the anus caused by human papillomavirus (HPV)

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Early signs of chancroid include:

Males tend to have one pustule, while females can have several.

As the pustule enlarges, it can rupture and form an ulcer.

2016;113(1-02):11-22. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0011

Mount Sinai.Herpes simplex virus.

Penis discharge

Jim Pledger / CDC

2019;11(5).

doi:10.3390/v11050463

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines,2021: genital herpes.

American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Human papillomavirus(HPV).

Cervicitis viewed through a vaginal speculum

CDC

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.Get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Young C, Argaez C.Management and treatment of cervicitis: a review of clinical effectiveness and guidelines.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About syphilis.

Syphilis on a penis (chancre)

Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.

Sangare A, Doumbo O, Raoult D.Management and treatment of human lice.Biomed Res Int.2016;2016:8962685. doi:10.1155/2016/8962685.

American Academy of Dermatology.Scabies: signs & symptoms.

2016;22(1):1-8. doi:10.3201/eid2201.150425

Syphilis On Tongue

Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.

Pubic lice

SOA-AIDSAmsterdam / Wikimedia Commons

Groin with scabies

Susan Lindsley / CDC

A person’s hands with scabies

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Early Chancroid

CDC

Late Chancroid

J. Pledger / CDC