Answered Questions

In the years since SmartSexResource launched, we have developed a library of questions asked by you, and answered by our expert sexual health nurses.

Our answered questions library cover a broad range of sexual health topics and common questions we hear at our clinics.

STI Symptoms (136)

I am sixteen years old and have only been sexually active for a few months, we were both virgins when we met eachother. I started showing symptoms about a week ago. My clitoris is very sore, to the touch, and to walk, or sit. And it hurts extremely bad to urinate, it’s really hard to wipe as well. I just found out today that my boyfriend carries the herpes virus, he gets like two cold sores a year. And we are both very worried and not sure what to do :(

The best thing to do would be to see a health care professional who could see what is going on. I know it can be a tough time when you don’t know what is going on and the area is so sore.

It sounds like the area is very sore and there are a number of things that could cause this. For example it could be a yeast infection, urinary tract infection, herpes outbreak etc…

The health care person could probably give you a good idea by just looking at it.

It is possible your boyfriend could have passed the herpes (cold sore) virus to your genital when performing oral sex.

A health professional like a doctor or nurse would need to keep all your information confidential which means they would not share it with anyone else without your permission.

Have a look at our clinic finder for a clinic in your area.

Let us know if you need assistance with anything else.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on July 14, 2014.

This answer was updated on February 7, 2022.

Every time i sleep with mi partern i alway had a discharge there is something wrong or what

Unusual discharge after sexual activity can be a sign of an STI and so it is a good idea for both you and your partner to be tested. An STI clinician will be able to take a full history from you and recommend testing and treatment options.

If you need help finding a clinic in your area, check out our Find a clinic feature.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on July 13, 2014.

This answer was updated on February 7, 2022.

dear sir .i use okamoto sheerlon dot condom during sex and 18 later i feel like fever fatigue and sweaty for about 30 minute . after 30 minute i feel normal . i went to see doctor 18 day after sex and i did the test and the result was negative .what cause of fever fatigue and sweaty for 30 minute ? i would like to about hiv symptom how long does fever take ?thank you .

Fever, fatigue and sweaty are common symptoms that can be caused by many different things.

There are no symptoms that are caused by just having HIV. The symptoms people get with a HIV seroconversion illness are common symptoms that can be caused by many different conditions, for example the common cold. Just treat the symptoms as a reminder, you are concerned about what happened and it would be good to go for a test.

Glad that you went to see a doctor, they can give you information on what tests to get and if there is any need for a follow up test.

It is great that you used a condom as that really reduces your chance of having an STI pass to you. Have a look at our “Know your chances” web page, it provides information on your chances of getting or passing an STI depending on how you are having sex.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on July 7, 2014.

I am male. It is three months since a sexual encounter with someone other than my long term partner. I thought all precaution had been taken but I have had a persistant sore throat for almost three weeks now, what I think are fordyce spots on my lip and last night had a small blood blister on te inside of my cheek which fell off and am concerned it may be a wart. I did not perform oral sex. Is it HPV or could it be something else. Tested negative for all other mainstream std’s. My long term partner has had a sore troat for over four weeks which just turned into a full on cold but no other obvious symptoms. I am worrying about this every minute of the day. So far doctor just says I have an upper respiratory tract virus.

Thank you for your questions.

Unfortunately, we are not able to diagnose symptoms online. If you are concerned about symptoms it is best to have them check by a health professional.

A sore throat is not a typical symptoms of an STI. It is more likely that this is caused by a cold or similar virus. You say that you have done your testing for STIs and they were all negative, so as long as these tests were done after the Window period had passed, you should be able to put those out of your mind.

There is no standard testing done for HPV in British Columbia and so the only way to know if you may have been exposed to one of the strains of this viruses is to develop warts or if you were a woman, to have an abnormal PAP test.

As you did not perform oral sex on this person, it is very unlikely that what you are experiencing in and around your mouth is related to HPV. Warts caused by HPV are different than blood blisters; they are usually a raised growth of skin that can have a rough texture. Warts do not fall off, but the skin can return to normal once the body cleared or surpressed the virus (this usually takes a number of months). It is also rare for warts related to HPV to develop in the mouth.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on June 30, 2014.

This answer was updated on February 7, 2022.

Had condom protected sex with sex worker. found small abrasion in pubic region, put had on penis with condom on it, got vaginal fluids on hand, then took condom off and worried i got fluids on penis head or foreskin. 3 days later, penile ulcer for 1 week and painful urination for 1 pee. 17 days after, fever, sore throat, heavy duty malaise for about 5 days. then flat rash on tummy arms chest back, swollen lymph nodes in neck, groin, armpit pain. yellow coating on tongue, oral ulcers, herpes on lips, pins and needs in hands and feel, sore muscles, heavy fatigue, muscle spasms, all developed over next 6-7 weeks. Concerned this is very ARS like. Tested 4th gen antigen/antibody and pooled NAAT at 3, 4, and 6 weeks all negative. Then tested a weird result at 9 weeks and 3 days, a ring in the control dot on a INSTI point of care test, then re took it the next day and it was negative ( blue dot in control ). So i guess negative up to 9 weeks and 3 days. What do you think the chances are i have HIV? I am still very fatigued and weak, not myself and i believe i have lost a lot of weight. Have been very worried about this as im only 20 and dont want HIV :( What do you think my chances of having hiv are? Would a 12 week test be conclusive for me? Can i take a rapid test at 12 weeks and call it conclusive even though my symptoms are very indicating or an illness. Im very lost and confused. only 20 yr old.

Hi there,

I do not think that you have HIV. Even though your symptoms are concerning, a 4th generation test is 95% accurate at 6 weeks, and the pooled NAAT test is over 99% accurate at 6 weeks. If the symptoms that you had at 17 days were from sero-converting to HIV, then your tests would be positive by now. You can get a rapid test at 12 weeks and call it conclusive for HIV.

You are right that your symptoms indicate that something is making you unwell, though. Did you see a nurse or doctor about the penile ulcer, swollen lymph nodes and painful urination? These can certainly be symptoms of other STIs (not HIV), and it would be helpful to know what was causing them. It also sounds like you have been going thorough a lot of stress and worry about this (understandably), and sometimes stress can make symptoms worse. Many people lose weight when they are very worried about something, for example.

It sounds as if you have already found a clinic where you have been getting your HIV tests done. It might be helpful to ask for other STI testing next time you are there, and to ask them or your doctor for an exam to find out what is causing your symptoms. It might also be helpful to talk to a supportive peson or a counsellor about all the stress you have been coping with.

Let us know if that answers your question,

Health Nurse

This answer was posted on June 12, 2014.

Hi, I went to a clinic and got diagnosed with genital warts. How long until they disappear entirely and what is my risk to future partners. Also, does it affect fertility?

HI there,

Thanks for your questions. Genital warts are caused by certain types of HPV virus. The visible warts will usually go away on their own, but the virus can stay in your body for a year or more. Although the virus does clear on its own eventually, it is hard to say how long it will stay as this really varies from person to person. Some people get treatment (topical medication or freezing) to make the visible warts go away more quickly – this will not affect how long it takes for the virus itself to clear.

The risk to your partners is just that they may get the virus, and might get visible warts as well. This virus is common and rarely causes any complications beyond being a nuisance.

As far as we know, the virus that causes genital warts does not have any effect on fertility for your or your partners.

Let us know if that answers your questions,

Health Nurse

This answer was posted on June 5, 2014.

Considering that triad of fever,sore throat and rashes is a sign of primary hiv infection,pls advise that do all theses occur together or one by one.Is only prolonged pharyngitis for over 4 months an indication of hiv infection.Will mild infections continue to exist in a newly infected hiv person.

It is normal for people to be worried when they develop flu like symptoms (e.g. fever, rash, sore throat) after they have a sexual encounter they are concerned about. Many people will think the worse. I usually remind people that flu like symptoms are common and can be caused by many different conditions like the common cold. Just treat the symptoms as a reminder you are concerned about what happened and it would be good to go for a HIV test.

HIV cannot be diagnosed by any combination of symptoms because all these symptoms can be caused by many different conditions. The only way to find out if you have HIV is by having a HIV test.

I would recommend going to see a health care professional and describing your symptoms to them. You could also ask them to do a HIV test for you.

Some people can get embarrassed asking their family doctor for a HIV test. If this is the case for you I would recommend visiting an STI clinic or another clinic. Have a look at our clinic finder for a clinic in your area.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on May 27, 2014.

This answer was updated on February 7, 2022.

Hello, I am 18 years old. 2 days ago I had intercourse with my boyfriend, on the condom there was a tiny bit of blood from me. The next morning I went to go to the washroom and there was blood (like a period). There is no pain at all what so ever. The next day same thing happened. Is something wrong with me? There is no pain at all so I figured it would go away in a couple of days…

I don’t know your full medical and sexual history so I am unable to give specific information about what could be happening, but I can give you some general information based on what you have written.

There are a number of different things that can cause vaginal bleeding between periods, for example hormonal imbalance, vaginal dryness etc… It can also be the symptom of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) like Chlamydia.

I would recommend going to see a health professional about your symptoms. They would be able to review your medical history and do an exam and testing if necessary.

I know it can be nervous going to see a health professional about this but just remember that your information remains confidential.

Have a look at our clinic finder for a clinic in your area.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on May 5, 2014.

This answer was updated on February 7, 2022.

How accurate are tests for herpes?

It is important to understand the different types of herpes simplex virus (HSV) tests that are available in BC; these include:

HSV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a swab test looks for the genetic material of HSV.

It is the test most commonly used, and involves swabbing sores. It is very accurate (nearly 100%).

If you test positive, this test will tell you which type (HSV-1 or HSV-2), and because the test is from sores on your body, you will know where you have HSV.

Window period: accurate once you have sores, usually within 2-21 days.

HSV type-specific serology (HSV TSS) is a blood test that is used under specific circumstances, as it provides limited information that may or may not be useful for you to know. HSV TSS is very accurate.

If you test positive, this test will tell you if you have antibodies for HSV-1 and/or HSV-2. This test cannot tell you where on your body you have HSV.

Window period: 12-16 weeks.

To ensure your results are accurate, you need to consider when to get tested. Each of the above tests have window periods. A window period is the period of time between getting HSV and when it will show up on a test. To learn more about window periods, click here.

Resources

This answer was posted on May 2, 2014.

This answer was updated on August 16, 2022.

Hello, I had unprotected sex with a sexual worker in a massage parlour and about 4/5 days afterwards I began to have slight muscle and joint pain in my legs and arms, nothing severe. A few days after that, I had a sore, stiff neck and sore lower back. The sore neck and back went almost completely away in 3 days and the sore joint and muscle pain went away about 5 days after experiencing them. I have been experiencing slight throat irritation, its not sore, but it feels like something is stuck when I swallow. Its not hard to swallow, but it feels like something is in the back of my throat when I do. I also have one small lump on my upper neck located around and behind the ear. I had the unprotected sex 10 days ago as of this post and this has all happened within this time. Once again, slightly sore muscles/joints 4/5 days after sex, disappearing 5 days after they appeared. Stiff neck and lower back a 5/6 days afterwards and disappearing 3 days after it started. A small lump about a week after sex and minor throat irritation 5 days after sex, not a sore throat though. Could this be signs of HIV seroconversion?

Thank you for your question.

It is unlikely that the symptoms you have described are related to HIV seroconversion. Symptoms related to an HIV infection usually do not occur until 2-4 weeks after exposure. It takes this long for the virus to multiply enough for the body to recognize it and to start producing antibodies. It is at this point that symptoms would occur.

Because you had unprotected sex it is recommended that you test for HIV as well as other STIs as this is the only way to know for sure if you were exposed. You can check out our “STIs at a glance” table on our Types of STIs page to know when would be the best time to test.

Please leave a comment to let us know if this answers your question or if you need more information.

Health Nurse

For other readers, please feel free to leave a comment, or let us know if this was helpful.

This answer was posted on April 30, 2014.

This answer was updated on February 7, 2022.

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STI Symptoms (136)

Every time i sleep with mi partern i alway had a discharge there is something wrong or what

Hi, I went to a clinic and got diagnosed with genital warts. How long until they disappear entirely and what is my risk to future partners. Also, does it affect fertility?

Considering that triad of fever,sore throat and rashes is a sign of primary hiv infection,pls advise that do all theses occur together or one by one.Is only prolonged pharyngitis for over 4 months an indication of hiv infection.Will mild infections continue to exist in a newly infected hiv person.

How accurate are tests for herpes?

Resources