This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Many people notice something unusual in their body and are not sure what it means. This guide shows you how to recognize and record the symptoms of a STD, so you can describe them clearly to a clinician in Orlando.

A symptom list cannot tell you what is causing a change. Only a clinician and a lab test can do that. What you can do is notice, write things down, and get the right person to look.

What you need

A notebook or the notes app on your phone.
A calendar, so you can mark when a change started.
A list of any medicines you take, including over-the-counter products.
A rough timeline of recent partners or new exposures. Dates are enough. Names are not needed.
A picture ID, which the Florida Department of Health in Orange County says it requires at its STD clinic.
A few minutes of privacy.

Step 1: Know that no symptoms is common

The CDC says many sexually transmitted infections cause no symptoms at all, or symptoms so mild they are easy to miss. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two well-known examples.

That is why this guide is only one half of the picture. A body that feels normal tells you how you feel. It does not tell you what a test would show. A clinician can explain what is right for your situation.

Step 2: Scan for the changes the CDC describes

Go through the list below slowly. Notice anything that is new for you, or different from your usual.

Urination and discharge

Burning or pain when you urinate.
Discharge from the penis, vagina or rectum that looks or smells different than usual.
Needing to urinate more often.

The CDC lists these among the signs that can go with chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis. A clinician has to test to tell them apart.

Sores, bumps and blisters

One or more sores on or near the genitals, anus or mouth.
Small blisters or open sores, sometimes with tingling or itching beforehand.
Soft, flesh-colored growths.

The CDC says herpes can cause blisters or sores. It says the first sore of syphilis is often firm and painless, so it can go unnoticed. The CDC notes that HPV can cause genital warts, although many people with HPV have no visible signs.

Pain and bleeding

Pelvic or lower belly pain.
Pain during sex.
Bleeding between periods or after sex.
Pain or swelling in one or both testicles.

The CDC lists these as possible signs of infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. They can also have many other causes, which is one more reason to see a clinician.

Whole-body changes

A rash, including on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.
Fever, swollen glands, sore throat, tiredness or body aches.

The CDC says a rash can appear in the secondary stage of syphilis. It also says some people have a flu-like illness within a few weeks of HIV infection, and that others have no symptoms for years. These signs are common to many illnesses, so they do not point to one cause.

For a deeper look at how signs can differ in women, see our guide to STD symptoms in women, signs, and when to test.

Step 3: Write down what you notice

Clinicians ask specific questions. Notes make your answers faster and more accurate.

Write the date you first noticed the change.
Describe where it is, what it looks like and how it feels.
Note whether it comes and goes or stays the same.
Record anything that makes it better or worse.
Add the dates of recent new partners or exposures.

If you can safely take a photo of a visible change, it may help show how it looks over time. Keep it private on your own device.

Step 4: Do not self-diagnose, and do not wait for certainty

Many conditions look alike. Irritation from a new soap, a yeast infection and an STI can feel similar. Online photos and symptom lists cannot sort that out for you.

You do not need to be sure something is an STI before you ask a clinician. A visit is the way to find out. Your clinician can tell you which tests fit what you are describing.

Step 5: Choose where to go in Orlando

The Florida Department of Health in Orange County runs an STD clinic at the Central Health Center, 832 West Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32805. The county's STD page says the clinic is walk-in and first come, first served, and that a picture ID is required.

The page lists hours of Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a lunch closure from 12 to 1 p.m. Other county pages list different hours, so call 407-858-1400 before you go. The county says clinic fees start at $20, with a sliding scale after an eligibility screening. It says it accepts cash, card, Medicaid and Medicare. It also says results take about one week and are given in person or by coded text with signed consent.

You can compare more options, including free and low-cost sites, in our list of Orlando testing locations. Services, hours and costs change, so confirm with the clinic before you go.

Step 6: Ask questions during the visit

Bring your notes. It can help to ask:

Which tests do you recommend for what I described?
How and when will I get my results?
Should anyone else be told or checked?
Is there anything I should avoid while I wait for results?

If an infection is found, the CDC says bacterial STIs and trichomoniasis are curable with treatment from a clinician. HIV, herpes and HPV are not curable, but they are treatable or manageable. Treatment is always prescribed by a clinician, who will explain what applies to you.

Tips that make this easier

Go early in the day. The county says walk-in numbers are assigned quickly after opening.
Note timing. Symptoms can appear days to weeks after an exposure, or not at all. A clinician can explain what that means for you.
Bring a calendar of dates. It is easier than trying to remember.
Ask about partner care. The CDC describes expedited partner therapy, and Florida Statute 384.27 allows it under certain conditions. A clinician can say whether it applies.
Know your privacy rights if you are under 18. Florida Statute 384.30 says a parent or guardian's consent is not required for an exam or treatment for a sexually transmissible disease. It also says the fact of a minor's visit is confidential, including not sending a bill to a parent or guardian. The statute states no minimum age.

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming no symptoms means nothing to ask about. The CDC says many infections are silent.
Treating a symptom yourself. Creams and leftover medicines can hide signs and make an exam harder to interpret.
Waiting for it to go away. Some signs, such as a syphilis sore, fade on their own while the infection remains, according to the CDC.
Relying on photos online. Appearance varies widely between people and skin tones.
Skipping the visit out of embarrassment. Clinicians see these questions every day. Your visit is a health visit, nothing more.

What to expect afterward

Every person is different, but here is what often happens:

You may feel more in control once your symptoms are written down and shared with a professional.
A clinician may be able to tell you what is likely causing a change, or order tests to find out.
If a test shows a curable infection, treatment from a clinician may clear it. Your clinician will tell you when follow-up is advised.
If a test shows a manageable condition, a clinician can explain care options that may help you stay healthy.
A negative result applies to the infections tested for at that time. Your clinician can explain whether more testing later makes sense.

Why this matters in Orange County

FLHealthCHARTS, a Florida Department of Health data tool, reports a 2025 chlamydia rate of 516.7 per 100,000 people in Orange County, compared with 410.8 per 100,000 statewide. It reports 9.3 infectious syphilis cases per 100,000 in Orange County that year, compared with 12.4 statewide. These figures show that STIs are a regular part of community health here. They are not a reason for fear or blame.

Key takeaways

Many infections cause no symptoms, so how you feel is only part of the picture.
Notice and record changes: discharge, pain, sores, rashes, bleeding or flu-like illness.
Only a clinician and a test can say what is causing a change.
Orlando has walk-in and low-cost options. Call ahead to confirm hours.

STD Symptoms: A Quick Reference Guide for Orlando Residents