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 men picture an STD as something you would notice right away. Often it is not. The CDC says many sexually transmitted infections cause no symptoms at all, or symptoms so mild they are easy to miss or blame on something else.

That is why this guide covers two things. First, the signs that can show up in men, infection by infection. Second, how testing works and where to get it in Las Vegas, often for free or at low cost.

A sign on this page is a reason to talk to a clinician. It is not a diagnosis. Only a test can say what is going on.

Why symptoms are an unreliable guide

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) describe chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, herpes, HPV and HIV as infections that can all be present without obvious signs. A man can have one and feel completely well.

So STD symptoms in men are only part of the picture. A person with no symptoms can still pass an infection to a partner, and an untreated infection can still cause harm over time.

Local numbers show these infections are common in Clark County. The Nevada Office of State Epidemiology, in its Nevada 2023 STD Fast Facts, reports 12,563 chlamydia cases (525.2 per 100,000 people), 5,768 gonorrhea cases (241.1 per 100,000) and 554 primary and secondary syphilis cases (23.2 per 100,000) among Clark County residents. The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health's 2024 HIV Fast Facts reports 552 new HIV diagnoses in Clark County, a rate of 22.6 per 100,000.

These are counts of people who were tested and diagnosed. They are a reminder that testing is a routine part of health care here, not something unusual.

Signs by infection

The signs below come from the CDC's patient pages and the 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines. Many other things can cause the same symptoms, including irritation, skin conditions and urinary tract problems. Nothing here can tell you which one applies to you.

Chlamydia

The CDC says most people with chlamydia have no symptoms. When men do have symptoms, they can include discharge from the penis, a burning feeling when urinating, and pain or swelling in one or both testicles.

Chlamydia can also infect the rectum. The CDC lists rectal pain, discharge and bleeding as possible signs, though infection there often causes none.

Chlamydia is curable with treatment from a clinician.

Gonorrhea

The CDC describes a similar pattern. Men may notice a burning feeling when urinating, a white, yellow or green discharge from the penis, or painful or swollen testicles. Gonorrhea can also infect the rectum and the throat. Rectal infection can cause discharge, itching, soreness, bleeding or pain with bowel movements. Throat infection often causes no symptoms, though some people have a sore throat.

Gonorrhea is curable with treatment from a clinician. The CDC notes that some strains have become harder to treat over time, which is one reason a clinician chooses the treatment.

Syphilis

The CDC describes syphilis in stages. The first stage is usually a single sore, called a chancre, at the spot where the infection entered the body. It is typically firm, round and painless.

Because it does not hurt, it can go unnoticed, especially if it is inside the mouth or rectum. The sore heals on its own, which can make it seem like the problem went away.

The second stage can bring a rash, often on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, along with fever, swollen lymph nodes, patchy hair loss and sores in the mouth or genital area. After that, the infection can go quiet for years without symptoms.

The CDC also says syphilis can affect the eyes and ears at any stage. New vision changes or hearing changes are a reason to be seen promptly.

Syphilis is curable with treatment from a clinician. It is most easily treated early.

Genital herpes

The CDC says most people with genital herpes have no symptoms or only mild ones. When signs appear, they can include one or more blisters or sores around the genitals, rectum or mouth, sometimes with itching, tingling or pain.

A first outbreak can come with flu-like symptoms such as fever and swollen glands. Outbreaks can come back, usually milder than the first.

Herpes is not curable, but it is manageable. A clinician can prescribe medicine that shortens outbreaks and lowers the chance of passing it on.

HPV and genital warts

The CDC says most HPV infections have no symptoms and clear on their own. Some types cause genital warts, which are small bumps or clusters of bumps on the genitals or around the anus. Other types can, over many years, lead to cancers of the penis, anus and throat.

The CDC says there is no approved HPV test for men. A clinician can look at visible warts, and the HPV vaccine is the main prevention tool. The CDC recommends it routinely through age 26 and says adults aged 27 to 45 can talk with a clinician about whether it makes sense for them.

HPV has no cure, but warts can be treated and most infections clear without treatment.

Trichomoniasis

The CDC says most people with trichomoniasis have no symptoms. Men who do may notice itching or irritation inside the penis, burning after urinating or ejaculating, or a discharge.

Trichomoniasis is curable with treatment from a clinician.

HIV

The CDC says some people have a flu-like illness, with fever, sore throat, rash, swollen glands or tiredness, about two to four weeks after HIV infection. Others have no symptoms for years. Because the early signs look like many ordinary illnesses, they are not a reliable way to tell.

HIV is not curable, but it is treatable. The CDC says people who take HIV treatment as prescribed and keep a suppressed viral load stay healthy and do not transmit HIV to partners through sex.

Why throat and rectal testing are separate

This is the part of an STD test for men that surprises people most. The usual test for chlamydia and gonorrhea is a urine sample, and it checks the urethra. It does not check the throat or the rectum.

The CDC recommends testing at each place where sex has happened. That means a swab of the throat if there was oral sex, and a swab of the rectum if there was anal sex. A urine-only test can come back negative while an infection at another site goes unchecked.

Infections in the throat and rectum are also the ones that most often cause no symptoms. A man may feel fine and still benefit from a swab.

The swabs are quick. Depending on the clinic, a clinician may collect them or you may be able to collect them yourself in a private room. It is fine to tell the clinic exactly what kinds of sex you have had so they can choose the right tests. Clinicians ask without judgment, and the information is what makes the results meaningful.

This applies to every man, whether he has sex with women, men, or both.

When to get tested

Guidelines give some anchors, and a clinician can help fit them to your situation.

HIV, once at least. The CDC recommends that everyone aged 13 to 64 be tested for HIV at least once. The USPSTF recommends screening for people aged 15 to 65.
Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. The CDC 2021 guidelines recommend testing at least once a year for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea, at each site of sexual contact. The CDC says testing every three to six months may be right for men with multiple or anonymous partners, or whose partners have them.
Syphilis. The USPSTF recommends syphilis screening for people at increased risk, and a clinician can tell you whether that includes you.
After a new partner or a partner's diagnosis. If a partner tells you they have an infection, a clinician can advise on testing and treatment.
Any new symptom. Discharge, burning, sores, bumps, rash or testicular pain are all reasons to be seen.

For sexually active men who have sex only with women and have no symptoms, the CDC does not currently recommend routine chlamydia and gonorrhea screening, because the evidence is limited. That is a statement about population-level guidelines. It is not a statement about you, and a clinician can still test you if you ask or have a reason to.

About timing and window periods

An infection may not show up on a test right away. This delay is called the window period.

The CDC gives windows for HIV. A nucleic acid test (NAT) can usually detect HIV 10 to 33 days after exposure. An antigen/antibody test done on blood from a vein usually detects it 18 to 45 days after exposure. An antigen/antibody finger-stick test can take 18 to 90 days, and antibody tests, including self-tests, can take 23 to 90 days. If you test within the window, the CDC advises testing again after it ends.

For other infections, ask the clinician how timing affects your result. The clinic can tell you whether a repeat test makes sense.

When to see a clinician the same day

Most of the signs above call for an appointment in the next few days. Some call for care the same day.

Sudden, severe testicular pain or swelling. The CDC notes that epididymitis, which is often caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea in sexually active men under 35, can look like testicular torsion. Torsion is a medical emergency where timing matters. Go to an emergency department.
Fever with genital pain, swelling or a new rash.
Vision or hearing changes after possible syphilis exposure, because the CDC notes syphilis can affect the eyes and ears.
Severe pain when urinating, or being unable to urinate.
A possible HIV exposure in the last 72 hours. The CDC says post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) works best when started as soon as possible, and no later than 72 hours after exposure. A clinician prescribes it. The Southern Nevada Health District lists PEP among its sexual health services, and an emergency department can also help if the clinic is closed.

If you are unsure whether something is urgent, call a clinic or the Southern Nevada Health District and describe what you are noticing. Asking costs nothing.

What testing involves

Depending on your history, an STD test for men can include a urine sample, throat or rectal swabs, a blood draw or finger stick for HIV and syphilis, and a visual exam of the skin. A sore may also be swabbed for herpes.

The clinician explains which tests you are getting. You can say yes or no to each one.

If a result is positive, the clinic tells you what comes next. Bacterial infections and trichomoniasis are curable with treatment from a clinician. HIV and herpes are not curable but are treatable and manageable. A clinician can also talk about telling partners.

Nevada has a legal option for this. The CDC lists expedited partner therapy as permissible in Nevada as of March 16, 2009. In some situations a clinician may be able to provide treatment for a partner of a patient diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea. Ask your clinician whether it applies.

Where to test in Las Vegas

Several places offer free or low-cost testing. Hours and services change, and the Southern Nevada Health District's own pages list slightly different hours for some sites, so call or check the clinic's website before you go.

Southern Nevada Health District Sexual Health Clinic

The Southern Nevada Health District runs two Las Vegas sexual health clinic sites. Both take walk-ins for STI testing and treatment until capacity is reached, and both share one phone line, (702) 759-1700.

Main facility (Decatur): 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107. The clinic page lists Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Tuesday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It also offers PrEP, PEP and doxy-PEP services.
Fremont Public Health Center: 2830 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89104. The clinic page lists Tuesday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Wednesday through Friday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The health district asks people to arrive by 5:30 PM to allow time for processing.

The health district says charges are based on your income and household size, and that you will not be turned away because you cannot pay on the day of your visit. Bring photo ID and proof of income.

Free Express Testing is a fast walk-in service for people who do not have symptoms. At Decatur it runs Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 3:30 PM. At Fremont it runs Fridays, 7:30 AM to 4 PM. If you do have symptoms, ask for a regular clinic visit instead. The health district also offers Express Testing on Tuesdays in Henderson and the fourth Monday of each month in Mesquite.

You can read more on the Southern Nevada Health District sexual health clinic page.

Arlene Cooper Community Health Center at The Center

The LGBTQ Community Center of Southern Nevada runs this clinic at 401 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89101. Call 702-802-5432 for appointments. The clinic says appointments are highly encouraged, though walk-ins are available for a limited number of patients each day.

The Center says HIV testing is free, STI screening is low cost, and certain insurance is billed. Treatment for STIs is also provided on site. The health center page lists Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, but the site footer shows different hours, so confirm before you go. See The Center's health center page.

Nevada Health Centers

Nevada Health Centers lists STD testing under its reproductive health services and offers a sliding-fee discount program based on family size and income. Two Las Vegas locations are listed.

Martin Luther King Family Health Center, 1799 Mount Mariah Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89106. Phone 702.383.1961 or 800.787.2568.
Nellis Family Medical Center, 691 N. Nellis Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89110. Phone 702.563.4662 or 800.787.2568.

The pages do not say whether walk-ins are accepted, so call first. See Nevada Health Centers reproductive health services.

UNLV Student Health Center

UNLV students can get STI and HIV testing at the Student Health Center in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy. The phone is 702-895-3370. The center's page does not list a price, so ask when you call. It serves UNLV students and is not open to the general public.

Testing from home

The Southern Nevada Health District's Collect2Protect program offers at-home HIV self-test kits and mail-in kits for gonorrhea and chlamydia to Nevada residents. The program page says insurance and Medicaid are not accepted, and the page does not list prices, so check the Collect2Protect page for current costs. Results can take 7 to 10 business days after the lab receives the sample.

Mail-in kits for gonorrhea and chlamydia may not cover every site where you have had sex, so talk with a clinic if you want throat or rectal testing.

You can also find other testing sites by ZIP code at gettested.cdc.gov. For a longer look at costs and options across the city, see our guide to STD testing in Las Vegas, where to get tested and what it costs.

Privacy, consent and reporting

Under Nevada law, NRS 129.060, a minor may give consent to examination and treatment for any sexually transmitted disease. The statute names no minimum age.

Nevada Administrative Code chapter 441A lists chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV and syphilis as reportable conditions. That means health care providers report cases to the local health authority, which is part of how public health programs track infections and offer partner services. It is a routine requirement, not a judgment of anyone.

For HIV specifically, Nevada Revised Statutes 441A.180 covers exposure to communicable diseases in general rather than creating an HIV-specific crime. If you have questions about how it applies to you, a clinic or legal aid organization can help.

Ways clinicians help prevent infection

Prevention is part of a visit, and no one needs a reason to ask about it.

Condoms. The CDC says correct and consistent condom use lowers the risk of many STIs, including HIV. It does not remove the risk entirely, since some infections spread through skin contact in areas a condom does not cover.
Vaccines. The CDC recommends HPV vaccination, and also vaccines for hepatitis A and B in many adults. A clinician can say which apply to you.
PrEP. Pre-exposure prophylaxis is HIV prevention medicine prescribed by a clinician. The Southern Nevada Health District, The Center and Nevada Health Centers all list PrEP services. Nevada law also lets qualifying pharmacists prescribe PrEP under a Board of Pharmacy protocol (NRS 639.28085).
Doxy-PEP. The CDC's 2024 guidance says clinicians should consider doxycycline after sex for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and transgender women who have had a bacterial STI in the past year. It is prescribed and monitored by a clinician. The Southern Nevada Health District lists doxy-PEP among its services.

Taking the next step

You do not need to have symptoms, a reason or a partner's diagnosis to get tested. A short visit can check the sites that matter for you, and many Las Vegas options are free or priced by income.

If you have symptoms that worry you, call a clinic today. If you simply want to know your status, a walk-in Express Testing visit or an appointment at one of the clinics above is a reasonable start.

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