Signs of sexual diseases in men

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every day globally there are more than one million cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the majority of which are asymptomatic. Some men with this disease have discharge, bleeding, blistering, and pain in the genitals, but it is easily confused with symptoms of other conditions.

If left untreated, these infections can become chronic, some of which can cause dangerous complications. Below are signs of sexually transmitted diseases in men.

Herpes

Herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two strains of HSV that can affect different parts of the body. HSV-1, also known as oral herpes, produces cold sores in and around the mouth. HSV-2 is mostly transmitted through condomless sex and causes genital herpes.

Many people with herpes have no symptoms or it is difficult to accurately identify symptoms. Mild blisters caused by HSV can resemble insect bites, ingrown hairs, or redness from shaving.

If there are symptoms, they usually appear 2-12 days after men are infected with the virus. Specifically, painful blisters or open sores in or around the mouth; blisters in the genitals, rectum, buttocks, or thighs; tingling or burning sensation around the blisters; muscle pain in the lower back, buttocks, and thighs; fever; not delicious to eat.

There is no cure for herpes and symptoms may recur. Treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and lengthening the time between flare-ups.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which can develop in the urethra, rectum or throat. Bacteria can be transmitted through vaginal, anal or oral sex without using a condom.

Most men with gonorrhea have no symptoms. Urethral gonorrhea can cause symptoms 1-14 days after bacterial infection, including painful urination, white, yellow or gray urethral discharge, pain in the testicles, itching and soreness in the anus, anal bleeding.

The disease can be treated with antibiotics, but only to prevent the infection from progressing. Anyone suspected of having gonorrhea or at risk of transmitting the disease should go to the hospital for testing early.

HPV

HPV (human papilloma virus) is a common sexually transmitted infection, usually affecting people in their teens and early 20s. Men infected with HPV may never have symptoms or appears months, even years after infection. The most common symptoms of HPV in men are warts in the mouth or throat and genital warts, which are small bumps around the penis or anus.

Men can prevent genital warts and anal cancers, penile cancers, and oropharyngeal cancers by getting vaccinated. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children 11-12 years old receive the HPV vaccine.

Syphilis

The bacteria that cause syphilis are transmitted through unsafe sex. Men who have sex with men are at higher risk of the disease.

Syphilis is often referred to as the “great disguiser” because it does not cause long-term signs or symptoms similar to other diseases. If present, they usually appear 10-90 days after infection, with an average of 21 days.

The disease progresses in four stages with its own set of symptoms that can last weeks, months, or even years. In the primary stage, men develop a small sore (called a chancre) where bacteria enter the body, usually in the penis, anus, mouth or lips. Sores can also appear on the fingers or buttocks; There may be swollen lymph nodes in the neck, groin or armpits.

The secondary stage can cause a skin rash on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet; large gray or white lesions in the mouth, anus, armpits, or groin; tired; headache; sore throat; swollen lymph nodes; hair loss; muscle pain.

The latent phase has no obvious symptoms and can last several years. Late-stage syphilis is very rare and can cause serious health complications, affecting many organ systems such as meningitis, stroke, dementia, blindness, cardiovascular problems, paralyze.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most common hepatitis viruses, and can be transmitted through blood, semen, and some other body fluids. Hepatitis B can be acute, which is temporary for a few weeks, or chronic, which is lifelong.

Most people have no symptoms, and if they do, they can easily be confused with a cold or the flu. They tend to appear about 90 days after HBV infection and include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, muscle and joint pain, jaundice, and dark urine.

Vaccines can prevent hepatitis B. WHO recommends that all newborns receive at least three doses of the vaccine against this disease.