How can you tell if you have std or hiv

It depends on which sexually transmitted infection (STI) you have.

Symptoms can develop within a few days or weeks, but sometimes they do not appear until months or even years later.

Often there are few or no symptoms and you may not know you have an STI.

If there's any chance you have an STI, go to a sexual health clinic or GP for a free and confidential check-up.

Chlamydia

Symptoms usually appear after 1 to 3 weeks but can start much later. Symptoms include:

• discharge from the vagina or penis
• pain when peeing
• vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex
• pelvic pain in women
• testicular pain in men

About 50% of men and 70% of women who are infected do not have any symptoms.

Find out more about chlamydia.

Genital herpes

Symptoms can appear after 4 to 7 days but might not start until months or years later. Symptoms include:

• small, painful blisters around the genitals
• pain when peeing
• a tingling or itching around the genitals

Most people do not have any symptoms when first infected.

Find out more about genital herpes.

Genital warts

If genital warts appear, symptoms could start from 3 weeks to many months or even years after contact with the virus that causes them. Symptoms include:

• small, fleshy growths or bumps on the genitals or around the anus – these are usually painless, but may be itchy

Most people with the virus that causes genital warts do not develop obvious warts.

Find out more about genital warts.

Gonorrhoea

Symptoms usually appear within 2 weeks of being infected but could start much later. They include:

• green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis
• pain when peeing

About 10% of men and 50% of women who are infected do not have any symptoms.

Find out more about gonorrhoea.

Pubic lice

It can take several weeks before any symptoms of pubic lice appear. Symptoms are the same for men and women, and include:

• itching in the affected areas, especially at night
• inflammation and irritation caused by scratching
• black powder in your underwear
• blue spots or small spots of blood on your skin, such as on your thighs or lower tummy (caused by lice bites)

Find out more about pubic lice

Scabies

Symptoms of scabies can take up to 6 weeks to appear if you have never had them before. It may only take up to 4 days if you have had scabies before. Symptoms include:

• itching around the genitals (usually worse at night)
• a spotty red rash

Find out more about scabies.

Syphilis

Symptoms usually appear after 2 to 3 weeks but could start earlier or much later. They include:

• one or more small painless sores or ulcers on the genitals
• a blotchy rash and flu-like symptoms that may follow a few weeks later

Symptoms are often not obvious and may come and go.

Find out more about syphilis.

Trichomoniasis

Symptoms usually appear within 4 weeks but could start months later. They include:

• discharge from the vagina or penis
• pain when peeing
• itchiness or discomfort around the opening of the vagina

About 50% of men and women who are infected do not have any symptoms.

Find out more about trichomoniasis.

HIV

The first symptoms may appear after 2 to 6 weeks. They can include:

• flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature (fever), sore throat, headaches, and achy muscles or joints
• a red rash on the body

Not everyone gets these symptoms, but in people who do they usually last 1 to 2 weeks.

After the symptoms disappear, you may not have any further symptoms for many years, even though the infection remains in your body.

If you're worried because you think you've got an STI, go for a check-up at a sexual health clinic as soon as you can.

Do not have sex, including oral sex, without using a condom until you've had a check-up.

You can have an STI without knowing it and infect your partner during sex.

STI symptoms

The symptoms of an STI can include:

• an unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or anus
• pain when peeing
• lumps or skin growths around the genitals or bottom (anus)
• a rash
• unusual vaginal bleeding
• itchy genitals or anus
• blisters and sores around your genitals or anus
• warts around your genitals or anus
• warts in your mouth or throat, but this is very rare

Non-urgent advice: Go to a sexual health clinic if:

• you have symptoms of an STI
• a sexual partner has symptoms of an STI
• you're worried after having sex without a condom
• you're pregnant with symptoms of an STI

Many STIs have no symptoms at all, like HIV. The only way to know for sure is to get tested.

Find a sexual health clinic

Why you should go to a sexual health clinic

You can see a GP, but they'll probably refer you to a sexual health clinic if they think you may have an STI.

Sexual health clinics treat problems with the genitals and urine system. You can usually turn up without an appointment.

You'll often get test results quicker than from the GP and you may not have to pay a prescription fee for treatment.

You can feel comfortable sharing information about your sexual activities or orientation with a doctor. You do not need to give your real name or tell staff who the GP is if you do not want to.

No information about your visit to the clinic will be shared with the GP or anyone else outside the clinic unless you ask for it to be.

You can ask to see a female or male doctor or nurse if you wish.

What happens at a sexual health clinic

At a sexual health clinic, a doctor or nurse:

• will ask you some questions about your sex life
• may ask to look at your genitals or anus
• will tell you what tests they think you need

Some clinics offer home testing kits for some STIs.

If tests show you have an STI, you should tell your sexual partner and any ex-partners so they can get tested and treated as well.

What are 5 common symptoms of an STD?

What is the difference between HIV and STD?

Can STD lead to HIV?

How soon do you know if you have an STD?