But, sadly, that isn’t so.
The incredible frequency ofasymptomaticSTIs is one factor that make STIs so common.
It is not uncommon for someone living with an STI to have noSTI symptoms.
Illustration by Laura Porter for Verywell Health
In other words, they are asymptomatic.
Illustration by Laura Porter for Verywell Health
Asymptomatic STIs are more common than not.
There is a very high prevalence of symptom-free sexually transmitted infections.
Jamie Grill/The Image Bank/Getty Images
People can be, and often are, living with an STI for many years without knowing it.
7 Tips For Preventing STDs
Some scientists call STIs the hidden epidemic.They’re common.
Finally, they can have serious long-term health consequencesincludinginfertilityand even (rarely) death.
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Why is it important to be aware of how common it is for people to have an asymptomatic STI?
There Is a High Risk of Infection
STIsaren’t transmitted every time people have sex.
However, they can get around pretty quickly.
Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images News/Getty Images
If each person hassex with twonew partners a year, that number goes up to more than 59,000.
You May Have No Symptoms
Chlamydiais the most common treatable STI.
Half of all women with gonorrhea and 10% of men don’t show symptoms.
Thomas Barwick / Getty Images
Many other STIs can also lie dormant for months or years.
It’s very easy to have an STI and not know about it.
That’s whysafer sexshould be the rule rather than the exception.
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There May Be Long-Term Damage
An STI may not be making you feel sick right now.
This can make it difficult or impossible to have children.
After all, it can take a while for STI tests to be accurate.
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In addition, sometimes people have multiple sexual partners, which means there are multiple potential routes for exposure.
However, this isnt true.
Herpes, for example, is transmissible even when a person isnt having an outbreak.
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So areHPV, the virus that causesgenital wartsandcervical cancer, and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
With treatment, these infections aren’t usually physically devastating.
However, they can take a strong emotional toll.
One such precaution is suppressive therapy.
Know that external and internal condoms are not 100% effective at preventing herpes or HPV.
That’s because these viruses are transmittedskin to skin.
Treatment as prevention is also a good way to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV.
Your Health Is Your Responsibility
Take charge of your own sexual health.
Safer sex practices and other precautions can help keep you free of sexually transmitted infections.
Just remember that you cant rely on how you feel to tell you if youre well.
Therefore, its your responsibilityto get tested and treatedif you could possibly be at risk.
Not just your health, but also the health of those you love, is in your hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes.
It is possible to contract a sexually transmitted infection and not have any symptoms.
People can live with an STI for many years without knowing they are infected.
In fact, STIs are asymptomatic more often than not.
Whats more, asymptomatic STI can still be transmitted to another person.
Several STIs may have no noticeable symptoms.
Commonly asymptomatic STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), and trichomoniasis.
Testing can be done through your primary healthcare provider, gynecologist, or family planning clinic.
People who are sexually active with more than one partner should be tested for STIs regularly.
Couples who are monogamous should be tested at the start of a new relationship before having unprotected intercourse.
NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Sexually transmitted diseases.
Sauerbrei A.Herpes genitalis: Diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd.
2016;76(12):1310-1317. doi:10.1055/s-0042-116494
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fact sheet for public health personnel.
