STI Exposure - Male

Is this your symptom?

  • Exposure to someone with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or who you think could have an STI
  • Exposure means: contact (oral, vaginal, or anal) through sex with someone who has an STI or has STI symptoms
  • You have symptoms of a possible STI. For men, these include:
  • pus or discharge from the penis
  • pain in the scrotum
  • a sore, rash or lump that appears on the penis, or around the anus
  • pain during sex
  • pain or burning when passing urine
  • painful tiny water blisters in the genital area
  • swollen glands in your groin
  • rectal discharge or pus

Key Points

  • STIs are sexually transmitted infections that are spread through sex (vaginal, anal, and/or oral).
  • Examples of STIs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, HIV, genital warts, and trichomonas.
  • Some STIs can be cured with antibiotics (gonorrhea, chlamydia).
  • Some STIs cannot be cured (herpes, HIV), but the symptoms can be reduced by taking prescription meds.

Types of STIs

This care guide covers facts about the infections listed below. Go to the specific topic in Care Advice that you have questions about:

  • AIDS (HIV)
  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
  • Hepatitis B
  • Herpes Simplex (genital)
  • Lice (genital or pubic)
  • Mycoplasma Genitalium
  • Syphilis
  • Trichomonas Infections
  • Warts-genital

Other infections are spread by close contact, including during sex, but they are not STIs:

  • Molluscum Contagiosum (genital)
  • Scabies
  • Yeast infections

When to Call for STI Exposure - Male

When to Call for STI Exposure - Male

Go to ER Now

  • You had sex (oral, vaginal, or anal) in the past 72 hours with someone who has, or is suspected of having HIV (AIDS). Note: Do not have sex until you see a doctor.
  • You were forced to have sex (assault or rape)

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

  • You have a fever and discharge or pus from your penis or rectum
  • Discharge or pus from your penis or rectum and NO fever but have a weak immune system. Examples are: diabetes, sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids, kidney problem.

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

  • You have pus or discharge from the penis
  • Painful tiny water blisters in the genital area
  • Discharge or pus from your rectum
  • Pain or burning when passing urine and you think you could have an STI
  • Pain during sex and you think you could have an STI
  • A sore, rash or lump that appears on the penis, or around the anus
  • Pain in the scrotum and you think you have an STI
  • Swollen glands in your groin
  • Pain in the genital area is getting worse and you think you have an STI

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

  • You had sex (oral, vaginal or anal) with someone who has or is suspected of having an STI. Note: do not have sex until you see a doctor.
  • You are worried you might have an STI but have NO symptoms. Note: do not have sex until you see a doctor.
  • You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

  • STIs, facts about each
  • Questions about how to prevent STIs

Go to ER Now

  • You had sex (oral, vaginal, or anal) in the past 72 hours with someone who has, or is suspected of having HIV (AIDS). Note: Do not have sex until you see a doctor.
  • You were forced to have sex (assault or rape)

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

  • You have a fever and discharge or pus from your penis or rectum
  • Discharge or pus from your penis or rectum and NO fever but have a weak immune system. Examples are: diabetes, sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids, kidney problem.

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

  • You have pus or discharge from the penis
  • Painful tiny water blisters in the genital area
  • Discharge or pus from your rectum
  • Pain or burning when passing urine and you think you could have an STI
  • Pain during sex and you think you could have an STI
  • A sore, rash or lump that appears on the penis, or around the anus
  • Pain in the scrotum and you think you have an STI
  • Swollen glands in your groin
  • Pain in the genital area is getting worse and you think you have an STI

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

  • You had sex (oral, vaginal or anal) with someone who has or is suspected of having an STI. Note: do not have sex until you see a doctor.
  • You are worried you might have an STI but have NO symptoms. Note: do not have sex until you see a doctor.
  • You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

  • STIs, facts about each
  • Questions about how to prevent STIs

Care Advice for Stomach Pain

What You Should Know About Stomach Pain:

  • Mild stomach pain can be caused by something simple. It could be from gas pains or eating too much.
  • Sometimes, stomach pain signals the start of a viral infection. This will lead to vomiting or loose stools.
  • Watching your child for 2 hours will help tell you the cause.
  • Here is some care advice that should help.

Lie Down:

  • Have your child lie down and rest until feeling better.

Clear Fluids:

  • Offer clear fluids only (such as water, flat soft drinks or half-strength Gatorade).
  • For mild pain, offer a regular diet.

Prepare for Vomiting:

  • Keep a vomiting pan handy.
  • Younger children often talk about stomach pain when they have nausea. Nausea is the sick stomach feeling that comes before they throw up.

Pass a Stool:

  • Have your child sit on the toilet and try to pass a stool.
  • This may help if the pain is from constipation or diarrhea.
  • Note: for constipation, moving a warm wet cotton ball on the anus may help.

Do Not Give Medicines:

  • Any drug (like ibuprofen) could upset the stomach and make the pain worse.
  • Do not give any pain medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
  • For fever higher than 102° F (39° C), acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be given.

What to Expect:

  • With harmless causes, the pain is most often better or gone in 2 hours.
  • With stomach flu, belly cramps may happen before each bout of vomiting or diarrhea. These cramps may come and go for a few days.
  • With serious causes (such as appendicitis), the pain worsens and becomes constant.

Call Your Doctor If:

  • Pain becomes severe
  • Constant pain lasts more than 2 hours
  • Mild pain that comes and goes lasts more than 24 hours
  • You think your child needs to be seen
  • Your child becomes worse

Extra Help - Worried Stomach:

  • Help your child talk about events that trigger the stomach pain. Talk to your child about how to cope with these the next time around.
  • Help your child worry less about things she can't control.
  • To treat the pain, help your child get very relaxed. Lying down in a quiet place and taking slow deep breaths may help. Make the belly go up and down with each breath. Then try to relax all the muscles in the body. Think about something pleasant. Listening to audios that teach how to relax might also help.
  • Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
  • Make sure that your child doesn't miss any school because of stomach pains. Stressed children tend to want to stay home when the going gets rough.
  • Caution: your child should see her doctor for an exam. Do this before concluding frequent stomach pains are from worrying too much.

Copyright 2025 Schmitt Decision Logic LLC. Date Updated: Mar 31 2025 13:17 Version 0.1

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