What STDs are out there? Recognize the symptoms of syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C and get tested at OneDayClinic!

Er zijn veel verschillende seksueel overdraagbare aandoeningen (soa’s). Bij OneDayClinic helpen we je graag verder met wat je moet weten over de verschillende soa’s. Lees verder om meer te leren over de verschillende geslachtsziekten en hun symptomen. In deze blog gaan we het hebben over syfilis, HIV, hepatitis B en hepatitis C. Voor symptomen van andere soa’s, zoals chlamydia, gonorroe, mycoplasma en trichomonas, klik dan hier.

Syphilis: recognize the stages

Syphilis is also known as Lues. In the Netherlands, the number of syphilis infections is increasing. Syphilis occurs in different stages.

First stage

The classic symptom of syphilis infection is one hard lash: a painless ulcer. The location of the ulcer depends on where you are infected. You can have the ulcer on the penis, in the vagina, near the anus, in the mouth but also, for example, on the finger or other places on the skin. This ulcer is contagious to others. In addition, we also see that in 80% of cases there is painless lymph node swelling in the region of the ulcer. Without treatment, the ulcer disappears after 3 to 6 weeks.

Second stage

When you are in the second stage, you may experience the following symptoms:

• a non-itchy rash all over the skin
• rashes on the palms and soles of the feet
• fever, sickness and muscle aches
• warts near the genitals or mouth (very contagious!)
• hair loss
• suddenly developed problems in seeing or hearing
• a paralysis of the face on one side

Latent syphilis

When the period of the first and second stages are over, a period without symptoms follows.

Third stage

This stage is very rare, but very dangerous! It causes serious symptoms, such as hair loss, problems with the eyes and hearing, and damage to organs. It usually occurs 5 to 30 years after infection.

HIV infection

With HIV infection, an "acute viral syndrome" may develop in about 50-70% of cases. Complaints that fit this are:

• general sickness
• headache
• fever
• hypersensitivity to light
• swelling of the lymph nodes
• unexplained fatigue
• pain behind the eyes
• muscle pain
• sore throat
• diarrhea
• skin rash
• numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes

Deze klachten zijn meestal mild en verdwijnen vanzelf. Zonder behandeling kan hiv uiteindelijk leiden tot Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (aids). Het afweersysteem wordt steeds zwakker, waardoor je vatbaar wordt voor infecties waar je normaal gesproken geen last van zou hebben. De tijd tussen de hiv-besmetting en de diagnose van aids kan variëren van minder dan 1 jaar tot meer dan 15 jaar.

Hepatitis B & C

The acute hepatitis B infection

You often have no symptoms when you are infected with the hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus. About 60% have no symptoms. When you do have symptoms, the first few weeks consist of:

• fatigue
• flu-like feeling
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• abdominal complaints
• fever

In the subsequent period, also called the jaundice period, there may be jaundice, dark urine and putty-colored (white) stools.

The chronic hepatitis B infection

If your body has not been able to fight the hepatitis B virus effectively, you may develop chronic hepatitis B. This occurs in about 5% of infected people. You often have no symptoms for an extended period of time, but the symptoms appropriate to an acute hepatitis infection may reappear.

Hepatitis C

A hepatitis C infection often progresses without noticeable symptoms. Some people report symptoms such as:

• fatigue
• mild flu-like symptoms
• nausea
• vomit
• dark urine or discolored stool
• pain in the upper abdomen.
• jaundice (in 10% of cases)

Get tested with an STD Test at OneDayClinic

Do you recognize the above symptoms in yourself? Or have you had unsafe sex, but no complaints? At OneDayClinic you can get an (anonymous) STD test. If you visit one of our clinics, the doctor or nurse will work with you to assess your symptoms and advise you on the best way to get tested. Schedule an appointment for an anonymous test right away. Remember that you can carry STDs even if you have no symptoms. Take care of yourself and another; Better Safe Than Sorry!

List of sources:

1. Holmes KK et al. Watts Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 4th edition. New York: Mc Graw Hill Medical. 2008.
2. Hoebe C, van Liere G, Niekamp AM, Dukers-Muijrers N. Epidemiology oral session 7: Neglected issues in anal STIs and transmission: O1-S07.04 Many missed STIs when only testing urogenitally without systematic anorectal and oropharyngeal screening in swingers and MSM. Sex Transm Infect 2011; 87: A39-A40.
3. Sexually Transmitted Infections – Multidisciplinary Guideline 2018 (Update 2019)
4. Holmes KK, Sparling PF, Stamm WE, Piot P, Wasserheit JN, Corey L, Cohen MS, Watts Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 4th edition. New York: Mc Graw Hill Medical. 2008.
5. Singh AE, Romanowski B. Syphilis: Review with emphasis on clinical, epidemiologic, and some biological features. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. April 1999;12(2):187-209.
6. Sparling PF, Swartz MN, Musher DM, Healy BP. Clinical manifestations of syphilis. In : Holmes KK, Sparling PF, Stamm WE, Piot P, Wasserheit JN, Corey L, Cohen MS, Watts DH. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 4th edition. NewYork: Mc Graw Hill Medical. 2008.
7. Kostrikis et al. A Polymorphism in the Regulatory Region of the CC-Chemokine Receptor 5 Gene Influences Perinatal Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 to Africa-American Infants. Journal of Virology 1999;10264-10271.
8. Philpott et al. CC Chemokine Receptor 5 Genotype and Susceptibility to Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 in Women. Journal of Infectious Diseases 2003;569-575.