Symptoms of STDs: Types That Cause Bumps in Men and Women

STDs that cause bumps - STDTestGuru

Do you have unusual bumps in particular areas of your body and want to know if it’s due to an STD? While many STDs have an impact on urinary and reproductive health, some can cause dermatological symptoms such as rashes, eczema, while itchy and bumps can be caused by a variety of factors as well, it’s possible that these are symptoms of an untreated STD or STI.  There’s even more reason to be concerned if the itching skin is near your pelvic region, foreskin, or tip of shafts. Continue reading to learn about STDs that cause bumps in certain people.

What are STDs?

STDs are commonly known as the shortened form for Sexually Transmitted Diseases, otherwise known as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are more than 1 million everyday cases being reported globally and the actual number is estimated to be quite higher since many people do not report their infection.

Sexually Transmitted Infections are infectious diseases that spread from one person to another via sexual contact, this can include any type of genital contact, be it anal, vaginal, or oral sex. All forms of intimacy are highly susceptible to infections like STDs or urinary tract infections if contacted by an already infected person. United States is seeing record levels of STD cases each year since 2013 and most of the cases are being reported by women the highest toll takers are people who fall between the age group of 15-24.

Types: STDs that cause bumps

According to a study, there are more than at least 12 different types of STDs that are prevalent around the world. However, only a handful of STDs are highly in circulation accounting for almost 90% of the total STD cases in the United States. Even in that smaller cohort of types, the following are the most commonly seen STD that has symptoms of bumps in men and women:-

  • Herpes
  • Syphilis
  • HPV

Herpes: STDs that cause bumps-like symptoms

The herpes simplex virus causes herpes, which is a common sexually transmitted infection (HSV). According to CDC estimates for the United States, over half of persons aged 14 to 49 have the form of herpes that causes oral herpes, and one in every eight persons in this age group has the kind of herpes that causes genital herpes.

As previously stated, a herpes infection can be caused by one of two viruses: HSV-1 or HSV-2. Both can cause herpes in the mouth and genital area, although HSV-1 is more likely to cause oral herpes, whilst HSV-2 is more likely to cause genital herpes. Skin-to-skin contact, oral sex, and unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse are all ways for the illness to spread.

Herpes might present with no symptoms or weak signs that are easy to overlook or confuse for something else. The most common sign of a herpes outbreak is small red or white bumps or red ulcers, which form around the affected area. Bumps can be uncomfortable, dry, and painful, and they can also cause a lot of itching. Herpes can be accompanied by a variety of symptoms and they are:

  • Urinates with a burning sensation
  • Lymph nodes swollen
  • Fever, chills, and headaches are flu-like symptoms.

Herpes is an STD that is not curable, which means it will remain in your body for the rest of your life and symptoms may recur. Medication, on the other hand, can help prevent or reduce recurrent outbreaks of bumps.

Causes and symptoms of herpes

Syphilis: STDs that cause bumps-like symptoms

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that is transferred through sexual contact. It can infect your genitals, anus, and your lips, and mouth in rare cases. In its early stages, syphilis may not show any signs or symptoms. Firm, circular lesions can form in the affected area during the primary stage of syphilis. Skin-to-skin contact makes these sores extremely contagious.

Bumps might form on your body as a result of the secondary stage of syphilis, notably on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. A sore throat, fever, and other moderate flu-like symptoms might accompany a syphilis bump.

Nobody wants to learn that they have contracted a sexually transmitted disease, but it is always better to be safe get tested as early as possible as it may pave a way for you to get cured and recover quickly.

HPV: STDs that cause bumps-like symptoms

Unlike HIV, HPV is a completely different type of virus named Human Papillomavirus. But they have the common carrier of transmission – that is through sexual contact, be it anal, oral, or vaginal sex. Even touching your eyes or having contact with your mouth after having sex can result in the transmission of the virus.

Symptoms of the HPV can appear anywhere on the body and the most commonly seen sign is warts – small outgrown flesh-like bumps on the genitals and/or in and around the oral cavity.

Both types of STDs tend to maintain a low profile, so you may not notice any visible symptoms in the initial stage which makes it harder for you to detect and get diagnosed.

HPV symptoms are warts – small outgrown painless flesh/bumps that pop out of the skin – they can either be on genitals or oral cavity or both. Since they are more than 100 types of HPV strains, each of them has its own consequences on our bodies. But there are about 14 of them that are the highly risky type which may cause severe complications like cancer. Most of the time warts (bumps) and the least-infectious HPV STD are cured with antibiotics or physical removal of warts with cream or minor surgery. But if your immunity is weak and has the habit of smoking and alcoholic conditions then you are more prone and have a hard time recovering.

Leaving HPV untreated can lead to cervical cancer in women and other cancers around the genitals like anus (anal cancer), vulva and vagina, and penis (penile cancer).

HPV: Causes and Symptoms
Human Papillomavirus: Causes and Symptoms

Treatment: STDs that cause bumps-like symptoms

It is highly recommended not to pop any bumps or use pimple cream on them, as this could make things worse. If you suspect being exposed to any of the above STDs, get tested to know for sure and your physician may ask a few questions on your sexual history and prescribe you the right medications.

Antibiotics can be used to treat bacterial STDs if they are caught early. Although viral STDs cannot be cured, they can be managed with daily treatments. If you’ve been prescribed antibiotics to treat an STD, you should continue to take them even if you no longer have symptoms. In the case of virus-based diagnoses, the bumps and other symptoms can be cleared, however, the virus remains in your body for lifelong making it difficult to cure and sudden outbreaks can be expected if the anti-retroviral medications are stopped.

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