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STI Comparison Guide

Name: STI Comparison Guide
Creator: Dr Ed Skinner

Not sure what you might have? Compare symptoms side by side in plain English. No jargon, no judgement.

Dr Ed Skinner · Specialist GP

AHPRA MED0001674680 · Last reviewed: April 2026

Jump to a comparison

Thrush vs BV Herpes vs Warts Chlamydia vs Gonorrhoea Chlamydia vs UTI Herpes vs Thrush Molluscum vs Warts Herpes vs Syphilis BV vs Trich Herpes vs Ingrown Hair STI vs STD Full Comparison Table Which Test Do I Need?

Thrush vs BV

The two most common vaginal infections — and the most commonly confused

Thrush (Candida)

🔬 Cause: Fungal overgrowth (yeast)

💧 Discharge: Thick, white, cottage cheese-like

👃 Smell: Mild or none

🔥 Main symptom: Intense itching + redness

🚫 STI? No

💊 Treatment: Antifungal (3–7 days)

Test $39 · Treat $59

BV (Bacterial Vaginosis)

🔬 Cause: Bacterial imbalance

💧 Discharge: Thin, watery, greyish-white

👃 Smell: Fishy (key difference)

🔥 Main symptom: Smell, not usually itchy

🚫 STI? No

💊 Treatment: Antibiotics (5–7 days)

Test $39 · Treat $59

Quick rule: Thick white discharge + itching = probably thrush. Thin grey discharge + fishy smell = probably BV. Both can occur at the same time — a test will confirm.

Herpes vs Genital Warts

Both cause bumps in the genital area — but they are completely different

Herpes (HSV)

👁 Looks like: Small blisters or open sores

🔥 Pain: Yes — burning, tender, painful

⏱ Pattern: Comes and goes in outbreaks

⏳ Appears: 2–12 days after exposure

✅ Curable? No, but manageable with antivirals

Test $39 · Treat $59

Genital Warts (HPV)

👁 Looks like: Flesh-coloured bumps or lumps

🔥 Pain: Usually painless (key difference)

⏱ Pattern: Grow slowly, don't come and go

⏳ Appears: Weeks to months after exposure

✅ Curable? Virus clears; warts removable

Cryotherapy · HPV vaccine

Quick rule: Painful blisters that come and go = probably herpes. Painless lumps that grow slowly = probably warts. A GP can usually tell on sight.

Chlamydia vs Gonorrhoea

Australia's two most common curable STIs — often occur together

Chlamydia

📊 How common: #1 most common STI in Australia

🔇 Symptoms: Usually none (75% women, 50% men)

💧 If symptoms: Discharge, pain urinating

💊 Treatment: Simple antibiotics. Curable

⏳ Detectable: From 2 weeks after exposure

Test $39 · Treat $59

Gonorrhoea

📊 How common: #2 — rates rising fast

🔇 Symptoms: More likely than chlamydia

💧 If symptoms: Yellow/green discharge, pain urinating

💊 Treatment: Dual antibiotics. Curable

⏳ Detectable: From 2 weeks after exposure

Test $39 · Treat $59

Key point: Both tested with the same urine sample. The $39 full screen covers both, plus syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis.

Chlamydia vs UTI

Both cause pain urinating — but need different treatment

Chlamydia

🔬 Cause: Sexually transmitted bacterium

🔥 Burning: Yes, when urinating

🚽 Urgency: No — frequency is normal

💧 Discharge: Often yes

🚫 STI? Yes

Test $39

UTI

🔬 Cause: Bacteria entering urinary tract

🔥 Burning: Yes, when urinating

🚽 Urgency: Yes — frequent, urgent (key difference)

💧 Discharge: No — cloudy urine instead

🚫 STI? No

Test $39 · Treat $59

Not sure? If sexually active with burning, test for both. The $39 screen includes chlamydia and can add a urine culture for UTI.

Herpes vs Thrush

Both cause genital irritation in women — here is how to tell them apart

Herpes

👁 Appearance: Blisters or open sores

🔥 Pain type: Sharp, burning, tender

💧 Discharge: No (fluid from blisters only)

⏱ Pattern: Outbreaks lasting 1–2 weeks

Test $39 · Treat $59

Thrush

👁 Appearance: Red, swollen — no sores

🔥 Pain type: Itching (not sharp pain)

💧 Discharge: Yes — thick, white

⏱ Pattern: Persistent until treated

Test $39 · Treat $59

Quick rule: Blisters or sores + sharp pain = see a GP for herpes. Itching + white discharge + no sores = probably thrush.

Molluscum vs Genital Warts

Both cause painless bumps — but different viruses and different treatment

Molluscum

🔬 Cause: Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV)

👁 Looks like: Small, round, dome-shaped bumps with a dimple in the centre

📏 Size: 2–5mm, usually multiple

🔥 Pain: Painless

⏳ Clears: Often self-resolves in 6–12 months

Cryotherapy $249

Genital Warts (HPV)

🔬 Cause: Human papillomavirus (HPV 6 & 11)

👁 Looks like: Flesh-coloured bumps, flat or cauliflower-shaped

📏 Size: Varies — can cluster and grow

🔥 Pain: Painless

⏳ Clears: Virus clears in 1–2 years, warts removable

Cryotherapy · HPV vaccine

Key difference: Molluscum bumps have a central dimple (indent). Warts do not. A GP can tell them apart on sight. Both are treated with cryotherapy.

Herpes vs Syphilis

Both cause genital sores — but syphilis needs urgent treatment

Herpes (HSV)

👁 Sore type: Multiple small blisters in a cluster

🔥 Pain: Painful, burning, tender

🔢 Number: Usually several at once

⏱ Timing: Appears 2–12 days after exposure

🔄 Recurs? Yes — comes and goes in outbreaks

✅ Curable? No, but manageable

Test $39 · Treat $59

Syphilis

👁 Sore type: Single, round, firm ulcer (chancre)

🔥 Pain: Painless (key difference)

🔢 Number: Usually just one

⏱ Timing: Appears 3–6 weeks after exposure

🔄 Recurs? No — progresses through stages

✅ Curable? Yes — antibiotics. Urgent

Test $39 · Treat $59

Important: A painless sore that does not hurt could be syphilis. Do not ignore it — syphilis is serious if untreated but easily curable with antibiotics. Get tested.

BV vs Trichomoniasis

Both cause discharge and smell — but trich is sexually transmitted

BV (Bacterial Vaginosis)

💧 Discharge: Thin, greyish-white

👃 Smell: Fishy

🔥 Irritation: Rarely itchy or sore

🚫 STI? No

👫 Partner treat? No

Test $39 · Treat $59

Trich (Trichomoniasis)

💧 Discharge: Frothy, yellow-green

👃 Smell: Unpleasant, musty

🔥 Irritation: Often itchy, sore, red

🚫 STI? Yes — sexually transmitted

👫 Partner treat? Yes — must treat both

Test $39 · Treat $59

Key difference: BV = grey + fishy. Trich = frothy yellow-green + itchy. Trich is an STI so your partner needs treatment too.

Herpes vs Ingrown Hair

The #1 reason people panic and visit a sexual health clinic

Herpes

👁 Looks like: Cluster of small blisters that burst into ulcers

🔢 Number: Multiple, grouped together

🔥 Pain: Burning, tingling, tender

💈 Shaving link? No — unrelated to shaving

🔄 Recurs? Same spot or area, in outbreaks

Test $39 · Treat $59

Ingrown Hair

👁 Looks like: Single red bump, often with a visible hair

🔢 Number: Usually one at a time

🔥 Pain: Tender, like a pimple

💈 Shaving link? Yes — appears after shaving or waxing

🔄 Recurs? Random spots, linked to hair removal

Usually resolves on its own. Warm compress helps.

Quick rule: Single bump after shaving with a visible hair = almost certainly ingrown. Cluster of blisters with burning/tingling = get tested for herpes. Still not sure? A $59 telehealth consult can put your mind at ease.

STI vs STD — What's the Difference?

Same thing, different name

STI (sexually transmitted infection) and STD (sexually transmitted disease) mean the same thing. STI is the preferred term in Australia and most medical settings because many infections have no symptoms and never become a "disease."

You might also see STI test, STD test, STI screen, STI check, sexual health check — all refer to the same thing.

At Clinic365, a full STI screen ($39) covers chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis — regardless of what you call it.

Full STI Comparison Table

Condition	Type	Common Symptoms	STI?	Curable?	Test
Chlamydia	Bacterial	Often none. Discharge, pain urinating	Yes	Yes (antibiotics)	Urine/swab
Gonorrhoea	Bacterial	Discharge (yellow/green), pain urinating	Yes	Yes (antibiotics)	Urine/swab
Syphilis	Bacterial	Painless sore, rash, flu-like symptoms	Yes	Yes (antibiotics)	Blood test
Herpes (HSV)	Viral	Painful blisters/sores, tingling, burning	Yes	No (manageable)	Swab of sore
Warts (HPV)	Viral	Painless bumps/lumps, flesh-coloured	Yes	Virus clears; warts removable	Visual exam
Thrush	Fungal	Itching, thick white discharge, redness	No	Yes (antifungal)	Swab
BV	Bacterial imbalance	Fishy smell, thin grey discharge	No	Yes (antibiotics)	Swab
UTI	Bacterial	Frequent/urgent urination, burning	No	Yes (antibiotics)	Urine culture
Molluscum	Viral	Painless dome-shaped bumps with dimple	Yes	Self-resolves; cryotherapy	Visual exam
Trich	Parasitic	Frothy discharge, itching, smell	Yes	Yes (antibiotics)	Swab
Mgen	Bacterial	Often none. Discharge, pain urinating	Yes	Yes (guided antibiotics)	Urine/swab

Which Test Do I Need?

I had unprotected sex and want a routine screen

Get a full 5-infection STI screen — covers chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis. This is the standard test for anyone who has had unprotected sex.

Full STI Screen - $39 →

I have unusual discharge or smell

Could be thrush, BV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or trich. A full screen with swabs will test for all of these. Describe your symptoms when booking and your GP will ensure the right tests are ordered.

Book a Screen - $39 →

I have a sore, blister, or bump

Could be herpes, warts, molluscum, or something else. A telehealth consult lets a Specialist GP assess your symptoms by phone and order the right test or arrange treatment.

Telehealth Consult - $59 →

I have pain when urinating

Could be chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or a UTI. A full screen plus urine culture will cover all possibilities. If you also have urgency, a UTI is more likely.

UTI + STI Screen - $39 →

Frequently Asked Questions

Thrush is caused by a fungal overgrowth (candida) and typically causes thick white discharge and intense itching. BV is caused by a bacterial imbalance and typically causes thin greyish discharge with a fishy smell. Both are very common and not sexually transmitted, but both need different treatments - antifungal for thrush, antibiotics for BV.

Herpes (HSV) causes painful blisters or sores that come and go in outbreaks. Genital warts (HPV) cause painless bumps or lumps that grow slowly. Different viruses cause each - HSV for herpes, HPV types 6 and 11 for warts. Both are common and treatable but require different treatments.

Both are bacterial STIs spread through sexual contact. Chlamydia is more common and usually has no symptoms. Gonorrhoea more often causes discharge and pain when urinating. Both are curable with antibiotics. They can occur together and are tested for with the same urine sample or swab.

Yes. Many STIs have no symptoms at all. Around 75% of women and 50% of men with chlamydia have no symptoms. Herpes, HPV, and syphilis can also be symptom-free. Regular screening is the only way to know your status.

If you are unsure, a full 5-infection STI screen ($39) covers the most common infections: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis. If you have specific symptoms, a Specialist GP can advise on additional tests like herpes swabs or thrush cultures.

Yes. Having one STI does not protect you from others. It is common to have chlamydia and gonorrhoea together. Having an STI can also increase your risk of acquiring HIV. A full screen tests for multiple infections at once.

Most bacterial STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, BV, trich) are curable with antibiotics. Viral STIs (herpes, HPV, HIV, hepatitis) are not curable but are manageable with treatment. Genital warts can be physically removed. Herpes outbreaks can be suppressed with antiviral medication.

Different STIs have different window periods. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea: 2 weeks. Syphilis: 4 weeks. HIV: 4-12 weeks (depending on test type). For the most accurate results, test at the recommended window and consider retesting if you have ongoing risk.

Herpes causes multiple painful blisters that come and go. Syphilis causes a single painless sore (chancre) that appears 3-6 weeks after exposure. If you have a painless genital sore, get tested urgently — syphilis is serious but curable with antibiotics.

BV causes thin grey discharge with a fishy smell and little irritation. Trich causes frothy yellow-green discharge with itching and soreness. The key difference is trich is sexually transmitted and your partner needs treatment too. A swab test can tell them apart.