Exposure to Sexually Transmitted Diseases
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Are you pregnant and you have symptoms of an STD?
See significance of a pregnant woman with STD symptoms if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review conditions and behaviors that may increase your risk of becoming infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Note: If you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions:
- Do not have sexual contact or activity while waiting for your appointment. This will reduce the possible spread of infection to your partner.
- Do not douche. Douching changes the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina. Douching may flush an infection up into your uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Are you pregnant and you have any symptoms of an STD? Symptoms may include:
- A change in vaginal discharge (thicker, discolored, or bad-smelling) over a period of several days to 2 weeks.
- Pain, burning, or itching while urinating that lasts more than 24 hours.
- Pain during sexual intercourse.
- Pain or a feeling of heaviness in the pelvic or lower abdominal area.
- Itching, tingling, burning, or pain on or around the genitals.
- Sores, lumps, blisters, rashes, or warts on or around the genitals.
- Vaginal spotting or bleeding after sexual intercourse.
- General symptoms of an infection, such as fever and fatigue or lack of energy.
Yes After oral sex, have you had a sore throat or sores in your mouth or on your tongue?
Yes After anal sex, have you had sores, pain, or discharge in your rectal area?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA | Last Updated: February 9, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease | |
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