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 infections show up in men with no signs at all. Others cause changes that are easy to mistake for something minor. This guide walks through what the CDC describes for each infection, why a urine test is not the whole picture, and where to get tested in Chicago.

It is written for every man, including gay, bisexual, straight and transgender men, and for anyone with a penis. Nothing here can say whether you have an infection. Only a clinician and a test can do that.

Why STD symptoms in men are easy to miss

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) note that chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, herpes and HIV can all be present without obvious symptoms. A person can have an infection, and pass it on, without knowing.

That is why the absence of a symptom tells you very little. It is also why symptoms alone are a poor guide to what is going on. Several different infections can cause the same burning or discharge.

In Chicago, the numbers show why testing matters. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports a 2022 chlamydia rate of 1,023.7 per 100,000 people in the City of Chicago, with 27,596 cases. For gonorrhea the rate was 459.3 per 100,000, or 12,382 cases. These are reported cases, so they reflect who was tested as well as who was infected.

IDPH figures use 2010 Census population counts. They are 2022 numbers, so do not compare them directly with later statewide figures.

The organisms behind the symptoms

It helps to know what you are dealing with, because the cause decides the treatment.

Bacteria: chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis), gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) and syphilis (Treponema pallidum). The CDC says these are curable with treatment from a clinician.
A parasite: trichomoniasis (Trichomonas vaginalis). It is also curable with treatment from a clinician.
Viruses: HIV, herpes simplex virus and human papillomavirus (HPV). These are not curable. They are treatable or manageable, and a clinician can explain the options.

Antibiotics do nothing against viruses. A clinician prescribes the right treatment once a test identifies the cause. This page does not list doses or schedules, because those depend on the person and the infection.

Signs by infection

The CDC describes the following patterns. Any of them can also have other causes, and any infection can be silent.

Chlamydia

The CDC says most men with chlamydia have no symptoms. When symptoms appear, they can include discharge from the penis, burning when urinating, and pain or swelling in one or both testicles. Rectal infection can cause pain, discharge or bleeding. Throat infection usually causes no symptoms.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea can look much like chlamydia. The CDC lists a white, yellow or green discharge, burning when urinating, and sometimes swollen or painful testicles. Rectal infection can cause discharge, itching, soreness or bleeding. Throat infection is often silent, though it can cause a sore throat.

Syphilis

The CDC describes syphilis in stages. The first sign is often a firm, round sore called a chancre, which is usually painless. It can appear on the penis, in the rectum, or in or around the mouth, and it can go unnoticed.

A later stage can bring a rash, often on the palms and soles, along with fever, swollen glands or patchy hair loss. The CDC notes these signs can fade without treatment even though the infection remains. A blood test is how clinicians check for syphilis.

Chicago has seen high syphilis activity. IDPH reports a 2022 primary and secondary syphilis rate of 29.9 per 100,000 in the City of Chicago (806 cases). For early syphilis overall the rate was 62.6 per 100,000 (1,687 cases).

Genital herpes

The CDC says many people with herpes have mild symptoms or none. When it does show, it can look like one or more small blisters or sores that crust over, sometimes with tingling, itching or pain beforehand. A first outbreak can include fever and body aches. Herpes is manageable, and a clinician can discuss medicine that shortens or prevents outbreaks.

HPV and genital warts

Most HPV infections cause no symptoms and clear on their own, according to the CDC. Some types cause warts on or around the genitals or anus. Other types can, over many years, lead to cancers of the anus, penis or throat. There is a vaccine, and a clinician can say who it is recommended for.

Trichomoniasis

The CDC notes that most men with trichomoniasis have no symptoms. Some have irritation inside the penis, burning when urinating, or discharge. It is curable with treatment from a clinician.

HIV

Some people have a flu-like illness with fever, rash, sore throat or swollen glands within a few weeks of HIV infection, according to the CDC. Many have nothing noticeable, and symptoms alone cannot confirm or rule out HIV. Only a test can. HIV is treatable, and the CDC reports that treatment can keep the virus at levels too low to pass on sexually.

Why throat and rectal testing are separate

A urine test checks the urethra, the tube inside the penis. It cannot tell a clinician anything about the throat or the rectum. Those are different tissues, and an infection can sit in one without touching the others.

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) recommend testing at each site of sexual contact. For chlamydia and gonorrhea, that means a urine test for the urethra, a swab for the throat if there was oral sex, and a swab for the rectum if there was receptive anal sex. Syphilis and HIV are checked with a blood test, which covers the whole body.

This matters for two reasons. Throat and rectal infections often cause no symptoms. A man whose urine test is negative could still have an infection at another site if that site was never sampled.

The CDC recommends that sexually active gay and bisexual men be screened at least once a year for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV, with testing at the sites of contact. It adds that those with multiple or anonymous partners may benefit from screening every three to six months. This is a general recommendation. A clinician can tailor it to your situation.

It is fine to tell a clinician exactly what kinds of sex you have. That information decides which swabs to take, and clinicians ask the question routinely.

When to test

Timing depends on the infection and the test. For HIV, the CDC publishes how soon after an exposure each test type can detect it:

Nucleic acid tests: about 10 to 33 days.
Antigen/antibody lab tests on a blood draw: about 18 to 45 days.
Rapid antigen/antibody tests on a finger prick: about 18 to 90 days.
Antibody tests, including self-tests: about 23 to 90 days.

For other infections, ask the clinic how soon after an exposure a test is useful. A test taken too early can miss an infection that is already there, so a clinician may suggest a repeat.

Reasons people choose to test include:

A new partner, or a partner who tested positive or has symptoms.
Any new sore, discharge, burning, rash or swelling.
A regular check-in, in line with the CDC screening advice above.
Before stopping condom use with a partner.

If you are wondering whether you need a test, the simplest answer is that testing is a reasonable choice for any sexually active adult. A clinician can help you decide how often.

When to see a clinician the same day

Some symptoms should not wait for a routine appointment. Go to an urgent care or emergency department the same day for:

Sudden, severe pain in a testicle. This can have causes unrelated to infection that need quick care.
Testicular pain or swelling with fever or chills.
Pain with urination together with fever, or difficulty passing urine.
Severe pelvic or rectal pain, or heavy rectal bleeding.
Eye redness or pain, new vision changes, hearing changes or severe headache along with a possible exposure. The CDC notes syphilis can sometimes affect the eyes, ears and nervous system.

If you think you had a recent HIV exposure, within the last three days, call a clinic promptly. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is prescribed by a clinician and works best when started early. Howard Brown Health lists PEP among its services.

What research suggests about prevention and treatment

Research on sexual health prevention is moving, and a few findings are worth knowing. They are described as observations, and none replaces a conversation with a clinician.

Condoms: The CDC says correct and consistent condom use lowers the risk of many STIs. It does not remove the risk, because some infections spread by skin contact in areas a condom does not cover.
HIV PrEP: The CDC and the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend that clinicians offer PrEP to people at increased risk of HIV. Studies reviewed by these groups suggest it substantially lowers the chance of HIV when taken as prescribed.
Doxy-PEP: The CDC’s 2024 guidance says clinicians should consider doxycycline after sex for gay and bisexual men and transgender women who had a bacterial STI in the past year. Research suggests it lowers syphilis, chlamydia and, to a lesser degree, gonorrhea. It does not protect against HIV or viral infections. Whether it suits you is a clinician’s decision.
HPV vaccine: The CDC recommends vaccination for children and for catch-up through young adulthood, and some older adults can discuss it with a clinician.

Safety, side effects and who should ask first

Testing itself is low risk. Urine tests and swabs may feel briefly uncomfortable. Blood draws can cause a small bruise.

Treatment is where a clinician’s review matters. Before prescribing, a clinician will usually ask about allergies, other medicines, pregnancy possibilities for partners, kidney or liver conditions, and what you are already taking. Some antibiotics interact with other medicines or supplements, and some are not suitable for people with certain allergies.

Do not take leftover antibiotics or a partner’s prescription. That can hide symptoms, fail to treat the infection and add to antibiotic resistance. The CDC notes that drug-resistant gonorrhea is a concern, which is one reason treatment choices are made by clinicians.

After treatment for chlamydia or gonorrhea, the CDC advises avoiding sex until you and your partners have all been treated, and retesting is often recommended. Your clinician will tell you when.

Telling partners in Illinois

Telling a partner is hard for many people. Clinics can help, and the law gives some options.

The CDC’s page on the legal status of expedited partner therapy (EPT) says Illinois law permits EPT for chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis. It lets a clinician provide treatment for a partner without examining them first. The statute limits it to partners exposed within the previous 60 days and requires counseling and written IDPH materials for the partner. Syphilis is not covered.

Illinois repealed its HIV-specific criminal transmission statute (720 ILCS 5/12-5.01) in 2021, according to the Illinois General Assembly. That does not change the value of open conversation, but it means testing and care do not carry that specific legal risk.

Clinicians in Illinois report diagnoses of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and chancroid to public health. In Chicago those reports go to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), under 77 Ill. Adm. Code Part 693. Reporting is a health department function and is separate from your employer or insurer.

Teenagers can get care on their own. Under the Illinois Consent by Minors to Health Care Services Act (410 ILCS 210/4), a minor 12 or older who may have come into contact with an STD can consent to care related to prevention, diagnosis or treatment without a parent’s consent.

Where to get tested in Chicago

These are the options verified for this guide. Hours and walk-in availability change, so call before you go. The full local clinic list has more detail, and the CDC’s locator at gettested.cdc.gov can find other sites by ZIP code.

Clinic	Address and phone	What the clinic says
CDPH Lakeview North Clark Street Health Clinic	2849 N. Clark St., 1st Fl. 312.744.5507	Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm; Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call for an appointment. Limited walk-ins.
CDPH Austin West Division Street Health Hub	4909 W. Division St., Suite 411. 312.746.4871	Tuesday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Wednesday and Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Call for an appointment. Limited walk-ins.
CDPH Roseland East 115th Street Health Hub	200 E. 115th St., 1.5 fl. 312.747.1090	Monday and Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm; Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call for an appointment. Limited walk-ins.
Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center (Cook County Health)	2020 W. Harrison St., 60612. 312-572-4700	Walk-in STI Screening Clinic. Call Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Same-day HIV and STI services. Appointments: 312-572-4500.
Howard Brown Health (Sheridan, 63rd St. and Broadway Youth Center)	4025 N. Sheridan Rd.; 641 W. 63rd St.; 1023 W. Irving Park Rd. 773.388.1600	Walk-in sexual health clinic, no appointment necessary, first come, first served. The Broadway Youth Center serves ages 12 to 24.
Planned Parenthood of Illinois, Rogers Park	5725 N Broadway, 60660. (773) 942-7193	CDC GetTested lists appointments as required. Check the hours with the center.

The three CDPH clinics are closed from 12 to 1 pm daily and on City holidays, and CDPH says to call to verify hours. CDPH offers HIV and STD testing, PrEP and treatment at these clinics.

What it costs

CDPH states that care is provided regardless of ability to pay or insurance status, and asks insured patients to bring an insurance card. Its page does not say the visit is free.

Howard Brown calls its walk-in clinic quick and low-cost and offers a Sliding Fee Discount Program based on income and family size. CDC GetTested lists the CORE Center as accepting insurance, Medicaid and Medicare, with a sliding scale. It lists Planned Parenthood Rogers Park as accepting insurance and Medicaid, and does not state a self-pay or sliding scale option. Ask each clinic for the current price before you go.

PrEP, doxy-PEP and home HIV testing

CDPH clinics offer PrEP by appointment. Howard Brown lists PrEP, PEP and doxy-PEP, with doxy-PEP offered by appointment rather than as a walk-in service.

IDPH runs PrEP4Illinois, a medication assistance program, with a helpline at 1-833-773-7445. In April 2025 IDPH also announced a statewide standing order that lets Illinoisans get PrEP from a trained pharmacist without a prior prescription.

Erie Family Health Centers offers a free rapid HIV test kit by online request or by phone at 312-386-6344. It is for Illinois residents aged 17 or older, and it tests for HIV only, not other STIs. A mail-order home program for free STI tests from the city or state was not found, so a swab for the throat or rectum is a clinic visit.

For questions, the Illinois HIV/STD Hotline is 1-800-243-2437. For a broader look at costs and options across the city, see our guide to STD testing in Chicago.

What to bring and what to expect

An insurance card if you have one. Do not skip a visit if you do not.
A list of medicines you take, and any allergies.
A rough timeline of symptoms, new partners and the types of sex you have had.

A typical visit includes a short set of questions, a urine sample, swabs where needed and a blood draw. Ask when and how results will reach you. Some clinics call, and some use a patient portal.

If a result is positive, you are not alone and the next step is treatment or management with a clinician. Many bacterial infections are cured with the right prescription, and viral infections have effective ways to manage them.

STD Symptoms in Men: Signs, When to Test and Where in Chicago