Symptoms and Complications
In the table below you can read the symptoms and consequences of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
| condition | Symptoms | Complications |
| Chlamydia | Often no or mild symptoms such as discharge, inflammation or mild irritation. | Infertility in women, inflammation of the epididymis in men. |
| Gonorrhea | Discharge, inflammation (genital, anal or oral), often no complaints in women. | Infertility in women, inflammation of the epididymis in men. |
| Syphilis | First a painless sore, later a fever, headache and muscle aches. | Rash, ulcers, damage to the nervous system, heart and blood vessels, infection of the fetus. |
| Genital Warts | Warts, sometimes internal and sometimes not visible, often no symptoms. | Certain types of warts cause cervical cancer. |
| Genital herpes |
Blisters, sometimes painful. |
Infection of the fetus, complications in pregnancy. |
| hepatitis B | No complaints, fatigue, listlessness, nausea, abdominal pain, sometimes acute liver inflammation. | Jaundice, liver cancer and death from acute liver inflammation. |
| HIV | Reduction of resistance which can lead to infections. | AIDS. |
The table shows how important it is to watch out for STIs and to have them treated. The long-term effects can be serious.
In recent years, much more has been learned about the consequences of hepatitis B. Now 85 percent of adults are cured of hepatitis B. The other fifteen percent have a chronic infection, usually without symptoms.
There are various treatments available for hepatitis B. The chance of success is on average 40 percent. Another 40 percent of infected people can keep the infection under control through continued drug use.
In a number of cases, the hepatitis B vaccination is free, including at the GGD.
Be vigilant for mild symptoms and go to the doctor in time and don’t stay home out of shame. That can prevent a lot of suffering. Although you may find a visit to the doctor scary and embarrassing. Read more about this later.
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