• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are spread by sexually contact. STIs are very common and easily spread. Some STIs can be treated and cured, but others cannot be cured. By knowing the facts, you can take steps to protect your health

Gonorrhea and chlamydia are caused by bacteria. These infections often have no symptoms but still can have long-term effects on fertility. When symptoms occur, they may appear 2 to 21 days after contact with an infected person. These infections can occur at the same time.

Symptoms of gonorrhea and chlamydia may include the following:

• Discharge from the vaginal or pennis

• Painful urination or the need to go more often

• Pain in the pelvis or abdomen

• Burning or itching in the vaginal area

• Redness or swelling of the vulva

• Bleeding between menstrual periods

• Sore throat with or without fever

• Swollen or enlarged lymph nodes

Syphilis is caused by bacteria. The bacteria that cause syphilis enter the body through a cut in the skin or through contact with a partner’s syphilis sore. Because this sore commonly occurs on the vulva, vaginal, anus, or penis, syphilis most often is spread through sexually contact. If not treated, syphilis can cause long-term health problems.

Symptoms of syphilis differ by stage:

• Primary stage—Syphilis first appears as a painless sore. This sore goes away without treatment in 3 to 6 weeks.

• Secondary stage—If syphilis is not treated, the next stage begins as the sore is healing or several weeks after the sore has disappeared. Symptoms at this stage may include rash on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands, flat warts on the vulva, and flu-like symptoms.

• Latent infection—In some people, the rash and other symptoms may go away in a few weeks or months but the infection is still in the body. This is called latent infection.

Trichomoniasis is an infection caused by a microscopic parasite that is spread through sxx. It can be cured with treatment. Many people have no symptoms of trichomoniasis. When symptoms do occur, they include discharge from the vaginal and vaginal itching and redness

At least 5 million people in the Nigeria—about 1 in 6 adults—are infected with the virus that causes genital herpes. Herpes infection can cause painful sores, but sometimes there are no sores. It is possible to have herpes and not know it.

When first infected, a person with herpes may have flu-like symptoms. Sores may appear as small, fluid-filled blisters on the genitals, buttocks, or other areas. The sores often are grouped in clusters, and the area where the sores appear may be swollen and tender. When a person has symptoms, they appear about 2 to 10 days after the virus enters the body.

After a person is first infected, the virus travels to nerve cells near the spine and stays there. When there is a trigger the virus can become active again. Triggers can include illness, stress, and hormonal changes.

When the virus is active again, it travels along the nerves, back to where it first entered the body, and causes a new outbreak of sores and blisters. This is called a recurrence. The virus can be passed to others during a recurrence.