No one likes getting sick, and most people, given the choice, would want to avoid a sexually transmitted infection (STD).
STDs are incredibly common – millions of sexually active people contract these infections every day. And while the vast majority of infections can be treated with medication, some select infections are permanent once you get them.
However, this fact does not mean that you should worry. Most people can live happy and healthy lives if these infections are caught early and treated.
But which infections cannot be cured and how are they treated? Keep reading as we explore incurable STDs, available treatments, and more.
Don’t leave your sexual health to chance. Try Better2Know today.
Herpes
Herpes it exists in two forms: herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2).
Both strains can cause genital or oral herpes, although HSV-1 usually leads to oral herpes and HSV-2 to genital herpes. The virus creates nerve endings near your mouth or genitals and periodically rises to the skin, causing symptoms. Infected individuals are most contagious during these outbreaks.
During a herpes outbreak, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Blisters and/or fluid-filled sores around the mouth or genitals that burst and peel
- Pain, tingling and itching around the affected area
- Fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes (these symptoms appear shortly after the initial infection and tend not to recur during subsequent outbreaks)
In most cases, the initial outbreak causes the most severe symptoms. As time passes and your immune system adapts to the presence of the virus, the outbreaks will become less severe.
Treatment usually involves antiviral drugs, which are taken for different lengths of time depending on the person. These drugs help prevent the virus from replicating, reducing the frequency and severity of outbreaks.
Are you experiencing the symptoms of herpes? Get tested at home with the Herpes Home Test Kit.
Hepatitis B
The sharpest Hepatitis B Infections are cleared by the immune system with very few, if any, discernible symptoms. However, in about 20% of cases, the infection becomes chronic and lasts from six months to several years. This infection can also be permanent for some people.
During a chronic infection, the virus causes significant damage to liver tissue, potentially causing liver disease, liver cancer, liver failure and cirrhosis.
Fortunately, there is a vaccine available to prevent hepatitis B. If you have not been vaccinated or are unsure of your vaccination status, ask a Better2Know Sexual Health Advisor about getting the hepatitis B immunity test to check your immune status or get the vaccine to protect your sexual health.
Treatment for hepatitis B varies depending on individual health factors, particularly liver function. If you think you may have hepatitis B, you may need to seek specialist treatment if you test positive.
Worried you might have hepatitis B? Find out your HBV status with our Home Test Kit.
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)once infected, it will lead to lifelong infection. Most people contract HIV through unprotected vaginal and anal sex, but the virus can also be transmitted through a shared intravenous drug needle, unsterile tattoo equipment, needlestick injuries, and other forms of blood-to-blood contact.
Many people infected with HIV do not know they have it. The symptoms of an acute HIV infection can often be confused with the symptoms of other, less severe infections or not appear at all, so the infected person never thinks to seek testing or treatment.
After the initial infection, the virus remains dormant in the body, replicating and damaging your immune system. The result of this damage may not be visible for several years. As HIV progresses through the body, symptoms of a weakened immune system begin to appear.
Common symptoms include:
- Unintentional weight loss
- Chronic diarrhea
- Recurrent infections, such as chest infections
- Skin rashes, especially on the face, genitals or anus
- Raised cold sores or thrush infections on and around the mouth and genitals
- Sweats, especially at night
- Unusual tiredness
- Nausea or loss of appetite
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, groin or armpits
The good news is that if an HIV infection is detected early through testing, the condition can be treated with antiretroviral medication. This medicine helps reduce the HIV viral load in your body, keeping your immune system healthy and reducing or eliminating the chance of passing the infection on to someone else.
Worried about your HIV status? Test yourself in the comfort of your own home with our Home Test Kit.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection, with more than 140 different strains. Many of these are transmitted through sexual activity.
HPV strains are divided into two categories: low-risk or high-risk.
Low-risk HPV can cause genital warts on or around the genitals or anus. (About 90% of genital warts are caused by HPV 11 and 16.) These fleshy bumps may appear for six months or two years before disappearing as the body clears the HPV infection. While genital warts are largely harmless, they can be removed with interventions such as creams, freezing or surgery.
High-risk HPV types, however, are associated with a higher risk of cancers, such as cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, and anus. In particular, HPV 16 and 18 are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases.
Fortunately, an HPV vaccine can prevent new high-risk infections. Regular HPV testing can detect high-risk infections early, allowing medical interventions to remove precancerous cells and prevent the development of cancer.
Are you experiencing genital warts? Use our home testing kit to get tested today.
Tips for preventing STDs
STD prevention starts with practicing safe sex. This includes the consistent and correct use of condoms, dental dams, or other protective barriers during every sexual encounter. It is also important to understand how STDs are spread. For example, while many associate sexual transmission with vaginal or anal sex, some STDs can also be transmitted through oral sex. You can also get STDs from sharing sex toys.
In addition to safe sex practices, regular STD screening is vital, especially if you have multiple sexual partners or are not in a mutually monogamous relationship.
Final thoughts
Depending on the infection, living with an STD can be a challenge. But in most cases, treating these infections can help you live a normal, healthy life.
If you think you may have been exposed to an STD, get tested with Better2Know’s full screen, which checks for the seven most common infections in the UK.
Better2Know offers the most comprehensive private STI testing options in the UK.
