Sexually transmitted infections(STIs) are spread through sexual contact.
Vaginal, oral, and anal sexual activities are the most common transmission route.
However, other types of intimate contact, such as kissing, have spread STIs on rare occasions.
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Various pathogens cause STIs, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
While some STIs are curable, some will remain in your body for life once you contract the infection.
This article discusses curable and non-curable STIs.
Bacterial vs.
Viral STIs
Bacterial STIs are curable.
However, viral STIs are not.
Viruses remain in the body for life, whereas bacteria are killed using antibiotics.
Which Ones Are Curable?
STIs brought on by bacteria can be cured using medication.
Treatment for syphilis involves the use of an antibiotic calledpenicillin.
The medicine kills the syphilis bacteria to cure the body of the infection.
Antibiotics work during any stage of the disease.
That said, later stages may require stronger or more lengthy treatments.
Choosing the Right Antibiotic
Treating syphilis requires the right antibiotic.
Gonorrhea
The bacteria known asNeisseria gonorrhoeaecauses gonorrhea.
Gonorrhea is becoming increasingly resistant to the first-line therapy designed to treat it.
Eventually, the medication used to eliminate the infection will no longer work.
Chlamydia
Chlamydiais triggered by thechlamydia trachomatisbacteria.
Like gonorrhea, chlamydia often presents without symptoms, making it much easier to spread to others.
Antibiotics tocure someone of chlamydiaare administered in two ways:
The most commonly used antibiotics areazithromycinand doxycycline.
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasisis a parasitic STI because of aprotozoanparasiteknown asTrichomonas vaginalis.Protozoans are single-celled, microscopic animals.
Medication is used tocure trichomoniasis.
The first-choice medicine is a pop in of antiprotozoal and antibiotic known as metronidazole.
Which Ones Are Incurable?
Viral STIs have no cure.
When the virus enters the body, it stays there for life.
That doesnt mean you will always experience symptoms if you have a viral STI.
The virus itself can becomedormant, when they are in the body, but not active.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis Bis sparked by the hepatitis B virus.
When someone contracts the virus through sexual contact, it impacts liver function.
Hepatitis B can be spread from mother to child during birth or by sharing needles.
The majority of the time, the body clears it on its own.
Long-term, it can lead toliver cancerorcirrhosis.
While there is no cure for hepatitis B, there is avaccinethat can help prevent it.
Is There Treatment for Hepatitis B?
Treatments for short-term symptoms revolve around easing symptoms until the virus becomes dormant.
Long-term treatments involve antiviral medications and regular monitoring to watch for liver damage.
Herpes
The herpes simplex virus causes herpes.
Both types go through patterns of dormancy and active infection.
Dormancy presents with no symptoms, and active infection presents with sores in the genital or mouth areas.
When the infection cycles into active symptoms, it is called an outbreak.
HIV
HIVis a viral infection due to the humanimmunodeficiencyvirus.
When the virus enters the body, it begins attacking the immune system.
While there is no cure, it is highly manageable through medications.
If someone contracts HIV and doesnt get treated, they can developacquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
HPV
Human papillomavirus(HPV) is an STI resulting from the human papillomavirus.
There are many different types of viruses that fall under the umbrella category of HPV.
Not all types of HPV cause symptoms or health problems.
If you have a cervix, ensure you are up to date on this important test for your health.
There is also a safe and effectivevaccineyou can get to protect yourself.
There are several medications that it’s possible for you to take to control the infection and symptoms.
With the proper treatment, you dont have to suffer from the symptoms and can maintain a fulfilling life.
STI Support
If you have an incurable STI, you must get the proper support.
You could reach out to friends, family, or support groups for others in the same health position.
Oral doxycycline is taken once within 72 hours of condomless oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
Summary
The most common STIs fall into two categories: curable and incurable.
Bacteria or parasites cause curable STIs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.
They are treated using specific antibiotics or antiparasitic medication.
The most common incurable STIs include HIV, HPV, hepatitis B, and herpes.
Viruses cause incurable STIs.
When they do, treatments are made available so you’re free to better manage symptoms or outbreaks.
A Word From Verywell
Getting diagnosed with an STI can be a scary experience.
Its unlikely that you expected a positive result when you got the phone call from your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
STIs are mainly spread through sexual contact.
The types of sexual contact can include vaginal, oral, or anal.
In some rare cases, STIs can be transmitted through kissing.
To reduce your risk of getting an STI, you’re able to engage in safer sex practices.
That means wearing acondomduring all types of sexual activity.
Regardless of your sexual lifestyle, wearing condoms will significantly reduce your risk of contracting an STI.
That accounts for all types of STIs and amounts to roughly 68 million people.
World Health Organization.Sexually transmitted infections.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Syphilis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis treatment and care.
doi:10.1093/jtm/taz101
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonorrhea - CDC detailed fact sheet.
World Health Organization.WHO guidelines for the treatment of chlamydia.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes - CDC basic fact sheet.
Shiraki K.Antiviral drugs against alphaherpesvirus.Adv Exp Med Biol.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC Estimates 1 in 5 people in the U.S. have a sexually transmitted infection.
