In some cases, people are scared to get tested because of how it may affect their relationship.
Others are terrified of being diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other incurable STIs.
Still others assume that they are “clean” because theyhave no symptoms.
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All of these responses, while understandable, place you at greater harm than you might think.
Here are just some of the short- and long-term consequences of avoiding STI testing.
Infecting Others
Clearly, having an untreated STI increases your risk of passing the infection to others.
Even if youuse condomsand practicesafer sex, the risk of transmission remains significant.
This is especially true with STIs likehuman papillomavirus (HPV)for which condoms only provide partial protection.
Gonorrheacan be passed from parent to child during vaginal delivery, causing a potentially severe eye infection.
Syphilis and herpes can be potentially fatal in a newborn.
The open sores resulting from these viruses give the HIV virus easy entry into the body.
But it is not only ulcerative STIs that pose a risk.
Every STI can trigger aninflammatory responsein the genitals.
When this occurs, immune cells will flood the tissues to fight the infection.
Moreover, having HIV along with another STI may increase the amount of viral shedding in the genitals.
The greater the amount the virus has shed, the greater the risk of transmission.
Only by getting tested and startingHIV therapycan you suppress the virus and prevent transmission.
The CDC recommends testing all Americans ages 1364 at least once during a routine doctor’s visit.
Developing Complications
If left untreated, STIs can cause severe health problems.
Over time, severe and sometimes life-altering complications can develop.
Some of these may progress undetected over the course of years, often without any outward signs.
This way, you’ve got the option to both make informed choices.
It may have nothing to do withinfidelity, but the conversation can be difficult nonetheless.
Getting tested at least lets you know where you stand.
Not knowing can hurt those around you, including people you care about most.
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