Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the human
Genital herpes (herpes simplex type 2) is similar to genital warts in that they're both types of sexually transmitted infections. However, herpes cause sores and fluid-filled blisters to form on your genitals. This is different than warts, which are small bumps that typically don't cause open sores.
When warts do appear, they vary in appearance depending on which kind of HPV is involved: Genital warts. These appear as flat lesions, small cauliflower-like bumps or tiny stemlike protrusions. In women, genital warts appear mostly on the vulva but can also occur near the anus, on the cervix or in the vagina.
Molluscum contagiosum
If passed through sexual contact, painless bumps appear on the abdomen, groin, genitals, buttocks, or thighs two weeks to six months after contact. Over several weeks the bumps become firm, waxy, pinkish-white and raised with a small crater in the centre.
What does a genital herpes outbreak look like? Genital herpes outbreaks usually look like a cluster of itchy or painful blisters filled with fluid. They may be different sizes and appear in different places. The blisters break or turn into sores that bleed or ooze a whitish fluid.
LGV is caused by a type of chlamydia that is usually rare in the U.S. But it's becoming more common in men who have sex with men. Like other forms of chlamydia, it can be cured with antibiotics. Symptoms: Open sores on the genitals or anus, headache, fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph glands in the groin (seen here).
It may resemble a pimple and be so small and harmless that you don't even notice. This sore goes away on its own in about six weeks. In the second stage of syphilis, a rough, red or brown rash develops. It begins in one area but will eventually cover your entire body — including the bottom of your feet and palms.
Harmless bumps in the genital area include pimples, cysts, angiomas and molluscum. Pimples are small, red bumps that may be white at the tip and filled with pus. Friction, sweat, bodily fluids, ingrown hairs and inflamed hair follicles (called folliculitis) can all cause genital pimples. No treatment is needed.
The rash is generally itchy and consists of a mottled appearance, flat blotches, or reddish bumps. It usually appears between 3 to 12 days after the initial infection and may spread to various parts of the body, including the face, arms, legs, palms of the hand, and soles of the feet.
Understanding chlamydia discharge
The type of discharge you might get from chlamydia can vary. If it is vaginal discharge, it may be white, yellow, or gray, and it may smell bad. If it is penile discharge, it may look clear or cloudy, or like pus. If the discharge is coming from your anus, it may be like mucus.
Genital warts may: appear on their own or in a group (groups of warts can look like a cauliflower) feel soft or firm. be white, red, skin-coloured, or darker than the surrounding skin.
Most vaginal bumps are harmless, but some might signal an infection. Other causes may include cysts, ingrown hairs, and, in rare cases, vaginal cancer. Vaginal bumps will resolve and typically go away on their own. You might require oral or topical antibiotics if you have an infection.
Syphilis
Some people with syphilis develop sores on the tongue as an early symptom. This is more common if the tongue is the site of infection, which happens when syphilis spreads through oral sex. Tongue lesions due to tuberculosis are extremely rare, but they may be one of the first symptoms.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Certain STIs can cause pimple-like blisters or sores to develop. Some may closely resemble pimples. For example, genital herpes may look like a pimple when it first forms. Genital warts can also have a pimple-like appearance.
In addition, emerging outbreaks of new infections that can be acquired by sexual contact such as mpox, Shigella sonnei, Neisseria meningitidis, Ebola and Zika, as well as re-emergence of neglected STIs such as lymphogranuloma venereum.
What can be mistaken for chlamydia? Dozens of conditions cause overlapping symptoms similar to chlamydia, including gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infections, and yeast infections, to name a few.
Trichomoniasis. Most people with trichomoniasis (or “trich”), a common STD caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis, cannot tell they have it. About 70% of people with the infection do not have any symptoms. Without treatment, trich can last for months or even years.
Trichomoniasis in women can cause: abnormal vaginal discharge that may be thick, thin or frothy and yellow-green in colour. producing more discharge than normal, which may also have an unpleasant fishy smell. soreness, swelling and itching around the vagina – sometimes the inner thighs also become itchy.
The characteristic rash of secondary syphilis may appear as rough, red, or reddish brown spots both on the palms of the hands and the bottoms of the feet. However, rashes with a different appearance may occur on other parts of the body, sometimes resembling rashes caused by other diseases.
A rash is present in the majority of patients with disseminated gonococcal infection. It affects the trunk, limbs, palms and soles, and usually spare the face, scalp and mouth. Types of lesion include microabscesses, macules, papules, pustules and vesicles.