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 who have a sexually transmitted infection notice nothing at all. Others notice a small change, such as a drip of discharge, a sore or a burning feeling when they urinate.

This guide covers the signs that can go with common infections, why symptoms alone cannot settle the question, and how testing works. It also covers when to be seen the same day and where to get tested in Miami at low or no cost.

Nothing here can tell you whether you have an infection. Only a test and a clinician can do that.

Why symptoms are an unreliable guide

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) note that many common infections cause no symptoms in a large share of people. That includes chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, herpes and HIV. A person can carry one for weeks, months or longer without feeling different.

This is why public health guidance centers on testing instead of watching for signs. A man with no symptoms can still have an infection that a test would find. A man with symptoms may have something other than an STI, such as a urinary tract infection, a skin irritation or a reaction to a soap.

So the useful question is not "Do I have symptoms?" It is "When was my last test, and what has changed since then?"

Symptoms can also appear in places people do not think to check. The CDC guidelines describe infections in the throat and rectum that often cause no symptoms. We come back to that below.

Signs by infection

The table below summarizes signs that the CDC describes for men. Each row lists what some men notice. It does not list what every man will notice, and it cannot confirm any diagnosis.

Infection	Signs some men report	Can it be silent?
Chlamydia	Burning with urination, discharge from the penis, pain or swelling in one or both testicles	Yes, often
Gonorrhea	Burning with urination, white, yellow or green discharge, testicular pain or swelling; rectal symptoms such as discharge, itching, soreness or bleeding	Yes, especially in the throat and rectum
Syphilis	A firm, usually painless sore; later a rash, often on the palms and soles, and other body-wide symptoms	Yes, and early signs can fade on their own
Genital herpes	Blisters or open sores, tingling or pain, flu-like feelings with a first outbreak	Yes, often mild or unrecognized
HPV	Genital warts in some cases	Yes, usually no signs
Trichomoniasis	Irritation inside the penis, discharge, burning after urination or ejaculation	Yes, most men have no symptoms
HIV	Fever, sore throat, rash, swollen glands or fatigue in the first weeks for some people	Yes, for years without treatment

Chlamydia and gonorrhea

These two bacterial infections cause similar signs in the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen. The CDC lists burning during urination and discharge as the most common ones.

Either can also cause pain or swelling in the testicles when the infection spreads to the epididymis. Both can affect the rectum and the throat, often without symptoms.

Both are curable. The CDC guidelines describe antibiotic treatment that a clinician prescribes. Please do not use leftover antibiotics or ones from a friend. The right medicine depends on the infection, the site and current resistance patterns, which a clinician checks.

Syphilis

The CDC describes syphilis in stages. The first sign is often a single sore, called a chancre. It is usually firm and painless, so it is easy to miss, especially if it is inside the rectum, in the mouth or under the foreskin.

The sore heals without treatment. That does not mean the infection has gone. Weeks later, some people develop a rash that can include the palms and soles, along with fever, sore throat, patchy hair loss or swollen lymph nodes.

Syphilis is curable with treatment from a clinician. It is also found by blood test, which is why the CDC recommends regular screening for people at higher likelihood of exposure.

Genital herpes

Herpes simplex virus can cause clusters of small blisters that turn into painful sores. A first outbreak may come with fever, body aches and swollen glands. Later outbreaks are often milder.

Many people with herpes have very mild signs or none, and may never know. Herpes is not curable, but the CDC guidelines describe antiviral medicine that a clinician can prescribe to shorten outbreaks or reduce how often they occur. Many people live with it with little disruption.

HPV and genital warts

Most HPV infections cause no signs and clear on their own, according to the CDC. Some types cause genital warts, which are small, flesh-colored bumps. Other types can lead to cancers over time, including cancers of the anus and penis, which is one reason a clinician may want to look at any new growth.

There is no routine HPV test for the penis. A clinician examines visible changes. Vaccination is available, and a clinician can say whether it applies to you.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is often thought of as a women's infection, but men can carry it too. The CDC says most men have no symptoms. Some notice irritation inside the penis, a thin discharge or burning after urinating or ejaculating.

It is curable with prescription treatment. Because men often feel nothing, the infection can pass between partners without anyone knowing.

HIV

Some people have a flu-like illness one to a few weeks after HIV enters the body, with fever, rash, sore throat and swollen glands. Many people have no early signs, and these signs are common to many other illnesses.

HIV is not curable, but it is treatable. The CDC describes modern HIV treatment as able to keep the virus at very low levels so that people can stay healthy. Testing is the only way to learn HIV status.

Why throat and rectal testing are separate

A common test for chlamydia and gonorrhea uses a urine sample. That sample checks the urethra. It does not check the throat or the rectum.

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) recommend testing at each site of sexual contact. For a man who has had oral or receptive anal sex, that can mean a swab of the throat, a swab of the rectum and a urine sample. Each is a separate test.

Why does this matter? Infections at these sites are often silent. A man can have a negative urine test and still have an infection in the throat or rectum that only a swab would find. A negative result for one site says nothing about the others.

The swabs are quick. In many clinics the person can collect the rectal or throat swab privately after the clinician explains how. If you are not sure which tests you need, tell the clinician what kinds of sex you have had. They ask so they can pick the right swabs, not to judge.

The same inclusive approach applies to every gender and orientation. Which sites to test depends on the sex a person has had, not on who they are.

When to test

Testing is a routine part of health care. A few situations where the CDC and the USPSTF point toward testing:

At least once for HIV. The CDC recommends that everyone from 13 to 64 be tested for HIV at least once. The USPSTF recommends HIV screening for adolescents and adults aged 15 to 65.
Yearly for sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. The CDC guidelines recommend at least yearly screening for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV. More frequent screening, such as every 3 to 6 months, is suggested for people with higher likelihood of exposure, such as having multiple or anonymous partners.
After a new partner or a partner's diagnosis. If a partner tells you they tested positive for something, a clinician can advise on testing and timing.
When anything changes. A new sore, discharge, burning, rash or pain is a reason to be seen, whatever the cause turns out to be.
Before stopping condoms with a new partner. Many couples test together first.

Timing and window periods

Tests need time to detect a new infection. For HIV, the CDC gives these windows after a possible exposure:

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 can usually detect HIV 18 to 45 days after exposure.
An antigen/antibody test done on blood from a fingerstick can take longer, 18 to 90 days.

For other infections, the right timing depends on the infection and the test. Ask the clinician, who may suggest testing now and again later. A test taken too soon can miss an infection that is still too new to measure.

Doxy-PEP and prevention

In 2024, the CDC issued guidance on doxycycline taken after sex, known as doxy-PEP. The CDC says clinicians should discuss it with gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, and with transgender women, who had a bacterial STI in the past 12 months. Doxy-PEP is a prescription decision made with a clinician. It does not prevent HIV.

The CDC also describes PrEP, medicine a clinician prescribes to lower the chance of getting HIV. The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County links to a PrEP and nPEP provider locator on its HIV/AIDS page.

When to see a clinician the same day

Most STI testing is not an emergency. A few situations call for same-day care:

Sudden or severe testicular pain or swelling, especially with fever or nausea. Testicular torsion is a different, time-sensitive problem that can look like infection. Go to an emergency department.
Burning with urination plus fever, chills or back pain. That can point to a more serious infection.
A possible HIV exposure in the last 72 hours. The CDC says post-exposure medicine (nPEP) works best started as soon as possible and must be started within 72 hours. A clinician or emergency department can assess this.
After sexual assault. Emergency departments can provide care, testing and support. Call 911 if you are in danger.
A rapidly spreading rash, painful sores with a high fever, or trouble urinating.

Being seen quickly is a normal use of health care. Clinicians see these concerns every day.

Where to test in Miami

Several Miami clinics offer STD testing for men and others. The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County says its STI clinics offer low or no-cost testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV. Its HIV Prevention page says it provides free prevention education and testing for those infections. Costs can vary, so confirm what applies to you when you call.

For addresses, phone numbers and details, see the list of Miami clinics. The overview below also notes what each source says.

Health department clinics

Health District Center (STI clinic), 1350 NW 14th St., Suite 350, Miami, FL 33125. Phone 305-575-3800. The health department lists Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and says it closes at noon on the 1st and 3rd Fridays. Its page says to call to schedule an appointment and does not state a walk-in policy.
West Perrine Health Center (STI clinic), 18255 Homestead Ave., Miami, FL 33157. Phone 305-575-3800. Listed hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., closing at noon on 3rd Fridays.

The same scheduling line, 305-575-3800, serves both sites. For disease control questions, the health department lists 305-470-5660. For HIV testing questions, it lists 786-792-5269.

Community health centers

Care Resource, Midtown Miami, 3510 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33137. Phone 305-576-1234. Care Resource lists testing Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDC GetTested lists free HIV and STI tests and says no appointment is required. Care Resource also says it offers a sliding fee scale for people who are uninsured or underinsured and accepts most insurance plans.
Borinquen Medical Centers, 3601 Federal Hwy, Miami, FL 33137. Phone 305-576-6611. CDC GetTested lists HIV and STI tests as free and says no appointment is required. Borinquen also accepts insurance, Medicaid and Medicare, and lists a sliding scale.
Jessie Trice Community Health System, 5361 NW 22nd Ave, Miami, FL 33147. Phone 305-637-6400. CDC GetTested lists HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea tests with insurance, Medicaid, Medicare and a sliding scale. It does not list syphilis testing at this site, so ask when you call. No appointment is listed as required.
University of Miami Rapid Access Wellness Clinic and PrEP Program, 1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL 33136. Phone 305-243-2584. CDC GetTested lists HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and STI tests as free and says an appointment is required.

LGBTQ+ community option

Pridelines (Thrivelines Health), 1130 Washington Ave, First Floor, Miami Beach, FL 33139. Phone 305-571-9601. This site is in Miami Beach, not the City of Miami. Its page describes HIV testing as fast, free and confidential, and it also does mobile testing across Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties. Check with the center about which tests are offered and when.

Hours and services can change, and some listings are from CDC GetTested, which notes that details may change. Please call before you go. If you want a broader comparison of clinics and costs, the guide on where to get tested in Miami and what it costs goes into more detail.

You can also search by ZIP code on CDC GetTested to find other nearby sites.

HIV home testing

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County says it offers a free HIV home test kit to Miami-Dade County residents through its HIV Prevention page. A home test checks for HIV only. It does not test for other infections, and a clinician can help with follow-up testing.

What to expect at a visit

A visit usually starts with questions about symptoms, recent partners and the kinds of sex you have had. A clinician may ask for a urine sample and may suggest throat or rectal swabs and a blood draw. Some visits include a quick look at the skin.

Results come back in different timeframes depending on the test. Ask when and how you will hear. If a result is positive, a clinician explains the next step, which for bacterial infections is prescription treatment and for viral infections is ongoing care.

The Florida Department of Health says chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV are reportable conditions in Florida. That means clinicians and labs report them to the health department under Rule 64D-3.029. The health department uses those reports for public health, not to shame anyone.

Florida Statute 384.30 says a minor may consent to examination and treatment for sexually transmissible diseases, with no minimum age set. The statute also treats a minor's STD care as confidential, including not disclosing it by billing a parent or guardian.

Florida Statute 384.27 lets a clinician provide treatment for a partner in certain cases, known as expedited partner therapy. Ask the clinician whether it applies to your situation.

What the numbers say about Miami-Dade

Public data show that STIs are common in Miami-Dade County. These are all-population rates, not rates for men alone. FLHealthCHARTS (Florida Department of Health) reports for 2025:

Chlamydia: 471.5 per 100,000 in Miami-Dade County, compared with 410.8 per 100,000 statewide.
Gonorrhea: 250.5 per 100,000 in the county, compared with 156.5 statewide.
Infectious (primary and secondary) syphilis: 16.8 per 100,000 in the county, compared with 12.4 statewide.
New HIV diagnoses: 23.7 per 100,000 in the county, compared with 15.0 statewide.

These figures reflect cases that were found and reported. They do not predict any one person's risk. They do suggest that regular testing is a sensible habit here, and that the clinics above see this every day.

Key takeaways

Many infections in men cause no symptoms, so testing is the only way to know.
A urine test does not check the throat or rectum. Ask for tests at every site of sexual contact.
Severe testicular pain, fever with urinary symptoms or a possible HIV exposure in the last 72 hours call for same-day care.
Miami has free and low-cost testing options. Call ahead to confirm hours and services.

Getting tested is a routine step in looking after your health. It does not say anything about you as a person.

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