At HelloDoc Health we help many people with testing, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and sexually transmitted diseases (STD). To help you to check your symptoms due to a possible STI/STD, we have created the table below which shows the symptoms and consequences of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
| Condition | Symptoms | (Possible) complications |
| Chlamydia | Often no or mild symptoms, such as altered vaginal discharge, inflammation or mild irritation, pain on urination, loss of blood after sexual contact or loss of blood between two periods (intermittent bleeding). After anal sex, chlamydia can infect the mucous membrane at the end of the colon, causing anal pain, bloody or slimy discharge. | Infertility in women, inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, risk of ectopic pregnancy. Inflammation of the epididymis in men. |
| Gonorrhoea | Discharge, inflammation (genital, anal or oral), in women often no symptoms or “vague” symptoms such as: foul-smelling pus-like vaginal discharge, frequent urination, vaginal bleeding, pain or irritation when urinating, irritation or itching around the anus, mucus or pus during defecation, swollen (lymph) glands in the neck, throat or other inflammation, fever. | Infertility in women, fallopian tube inflammation and premature birth in pregnant women. Inflammation of the epididymis in men. |
| Syphilis | First a painless ulcer, later a fever, headache, muscle ache, sore throat, fatigue, patches of skin all over the body (especially on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet). | Rashes, ulcers, nervous system disorders, cardiovascular disorders, infection of the foetus in pregnancy. Hair loss, causing bald patches on the head. Eye complaints with eyeball inflammation and loss of sight. |
| Genital warts | Warts around the anus and on the genitals caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Warts, sometimes internal and sometimes not visible, often have no symptoms. They are often found at the entrance to the vagina, on the cervix, around the labia, near the clitoris and around the anus (even without having had anal sex). The warts are skin-coloured, pink or greyish-white, usually soft to the touch, with an average diameter of 1 to 5 mm and close together, giving the skin a cauliflower-like appearance. | Certain types of genital warts cause cervical cancer. |
| Genital herpes | Vesicles or sores on skin and mucous membranes filled with clear fluid (often painful). These blisters or sores are usually invisible: in your vagina or buttocks. Burning sensations when urinating or defecating, itching and discharge from the vagina, red spots on the skin and/or swollen glands in the groin. | Infection of the foetus during delivery. |
| Hepatitis B | Fatigue, lethargy, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, muscle and joint pains, fever (feeling of flu) and sometimes itching. Most people do not get any symptoms at all. | Jaundice (discolouration of skin, whites of the eyes, stools and urine), cancer of the liver and death due to acute inflammation of the liver. |
| HIV | Flu-like symptoms shortly after contracting HIV, such as: fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, rash, recent weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, joint pain. Reduced resistance, which can lead to infections. | Aids |
| Trichomonas | Inflammation of the vagina, urethra or bladder with foul-smelling discharge. The frequent discharge is sometimes yellow-green with foam bubbles. Red, thick labia; the inside of the vagina may also be red, thick and painful. Itching and pain when urinating. | In pregnancy, trichomonas can cause problems: for example, the water breaking too early or the baby being born too early. |
The above table shows how important it is to be aware of STIs and to have them treated in time. The long-term effects, especially for women, can be serious and sometimes even permanent! In many cases you have an STI, but you don’t realise it (immediately) and you can still infect your bed partner(s). Therefore, pay close attention to the above symptoms and health risks.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common STI and its incidence has increased in recent years. This is partly due to the fact that there is more testing for chlamydia and that it can be discussed much more freely. Nevertheless, it is also assumed that the absolute number of chlamydia infections is increasing. Chlamydia is most often diagnosed in young women between the ages of 15 and 34. Twice as many women as men are diagnosed with chlamydia.
Hepatitis B
In recent years, much more has been learned about the effects of hepatitis B. Today, 85 percent of adults recover from hepatitis B. The remaining 15 percent remain chronically infected, usually without any symptoms.
There are various treatments available for hepatitis B. The success rate is on average 40 per cent. Another 40 percent of infected people can keep the infection under control through continued use of medication.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is the fourth most common STI in the Netherlands and is highly infectious! Even if you don’t know that you have this STI and don’t recognise any symptoms, you can still pass it on. Any form of sexual contact can lead to infection.
See a doctor in time at HelloDoc Health
If you have mild symptoms of a STI/STD, please contact a doctor in good time and don’t stay inactive out of shame. This can prevent a lot of suffering. Even though you may find a video-based consult or in-person consult to our doctor scary and embarrassing. At HelloDoc Health you have nothing to be ashamed of. You can also seek our help for an anonymous STI test or a STI treatment.
If an STI or STD is discovered by your doctor at HelloDoc Health and treatment is subsequently started, in most cases your (bed)partner(s) will also need to be treated.
HelloDoc Health services for STI/STD
At HelloDoc Health we can help you with the following health services for STI and STD:
- STD Rapid Test
- Anonymous STD test
- STD Consultation & Treatment
- STD/STI Prescription
- STD/STI Follow-up.
More information or an appointment?
Would you like to discuss your STI/STD issue(s) with a doctor? Book a consultation at HelloDoc Health!
We are here to help you!