Do I have an STD or Flu?

The flu season is reaching its peak in the coldest months of the year, usually January and February, but cases have been noted as early as October and as late as May in some parts of the country.  The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that spreads between people when contact is made.  The symptoms can be mild with a low fever and chills to severe health issues needing hospitalizations.  In some cases, the flu is so severe that the disease can lead to death.  Many flu-like symptoms can also be those found with sexually transmitted infections which can lead many people wondering if they have and STD or flu in the winter months.

Similarities between Sexual Infections and the Flu

Even with new flu strains being passed among the populations every year, the thought of passing a sexually transmitted disease is considered a bigger offense.  Both are transferred through contact with others and in some cases, both the flu Flu Symptomsand an STD can be fatal.  Research studies still show that most rather catch the flu than to have the social stigma associated with the spread of a sexually transmitted disease.  Social perception influences people’s conception of how a disease is accepted or feared.  With some, wanting to ignore the possibility the flu symptoms are much more, medical attention is not readily sought after.

Symptoms of an STD or Flu-Like Symptoms

When an individual is first infected with either the flu or an STD, a fever will occur as the body attempts to fight off the bacteria or viral infection attacking the system.  Many sexually transmitted diseases will have symptoms of fever, chills, sore throats, swollen lymph nodes and just complete aching all over the body.  These same symptoms are noted during the annual flu season.  Whether the flu or an STD, it is best to seek medical attention to stop not only the spread to others, but to stop either disease from making one sicker.

While untreated mild flu can just drag out the symptoms and weaken the immune system, but usually the body heals and the flu ends its course.  This is not so with untested and untreated sexually transmitted diseases.  The body’s immune system will weaken and this can lead to other infections and health issues.  Some sexually transmitted diseases will appear to heal themselves, but in many cases the disease is spreading to other parts of the body or lying dormant to do more damage later.  Two common STDs that come with flu like symptoms are herpes and syphilis.

Herpes Symptoms

Flu symptoms of fevers, swollen lymph nodes and glands, along with headaches and back aches are all symptoms of the herpes virus.  Along with the symptoms similar to those of the flu, one will see open sores, experience painful urination as well as itching of the genital areas of the body.  Any and all of these symptoms when first noted should have medical attention for proper testing and treatment.  Herpes can spread through oral sexual contact where sores and blisters will appear around the mouth and face.  Herpes does not have a cure as the flu does, but the symptoms and outbreaks can be controlled.  Using condoms can prevent the spread to others during outbreaks and dormancy of the disease.

Syphilis Symptoms

Syphilis, while common, can be easily ignored when the mild flu like symptoms occur.  When untreated, syphilis can go latent or dormant which is dangerous for not only the infected person, but anyone that comes in contact with the infected through sexual contact, oral, vaginal and anal.  A woman with dormant syphilis can pass the STD onto an unborn child. Syphilis can progress the infection through these dormant times to affect major organs of the body such as the heart.  In some untreated cases, syphilis can spread throughout the body when the infection leads to eventual death due to not being tested for and early treatment started.

With STDs having such a social disgusts, medical treatment and testing may be delayed by all parties involved.  Prolonged flu symptoms will push an individual to seek attention, especially when it requires a visit to the hospital.  Some sexually transmitted infections can lead to much more than a hospital visit; some strains when left untreated for a length of time and finally treated of the disease begins, there can be permanent health issues and even cause death due to this ignoring and waiting to see.  A simple test and visit to a clinic or testing center could have stopped so much injury to one’s health.

Whether the symptoms are associated with an STD or flu, medical attention should be sought to cease the fevers, chills, fatigue and other flu like symptoms.  This is especially important should these symptoms appear within days of a sexual encounter where a condom has not been used.  The flu is not fun to experience and a sexually transmitted disease is even less enjoyable to go through.  Seek medical attention for proper treatment to return to good health.  Be pro-active when the symptoms first appear to stop any and all infections from spreading no matter if it is flu season or not.  Stay healthy.

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