As modern attitudes toward sex have become more open, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, has noted that syphilis and gonorrhea cases have been on the rise internationally in recent years. The number of babies born with congenital syphilis has also increased, prompting a call for the public to stay alert. However, urologist Zhu Xincheng points out that it is possible to contract an STI even without having sex. If you experience any of these 4 symptoms, be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Many people who contract an STI face judgment from others, but it is not only people who have sex frequently who can get one. Urologist Zhu Xincheng said on Facebook that even people who have never had sex can contract an STI. There are 4 common symptoms, including genital sores, difficulty urinating, and fever.
4 Common STI Symptoms
Genital sores or pain:
Many STIs, such as syphilis and genital herpes, can cause sores or pain in the genital area. The pain may appear soon after infection, though in some cases these symptoms may not begin until days or weeks later. If you experience these symptoms, be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Abnormal discharge or difficulty urinating:
Gonorrhea, for example, may cause abnormal discharge from the genital area. It can also cause pain or a burning sensation when urinating, or difficulty urinating.
Fever and fatigue:
Some STIs, such as HIV, syphilis, and gonorrhea, can cause systemic symptoms, including fever, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue. These symptoms may not appear as quickly as the first two types, but they can occur when the infection becomes severe.
Skin changes:
STIs such as HIV, genital warts, and syphilis can cause skin changes and rashes, including redness, rashes, blisters, or skin sores. If you notice skin problems and seeing a dermatologist doesn’t help, you may want to consider making an appointment.
In addition, someone in the comments asked whether STIs can be transmitted in swimming pools. Dr. Zhu Xincheng said that swimming in a pool does not cause someone to contract an STI, but using an unclean towel could put you at risk of infection.