5 STDs with no symptoms

The nature of asymptomatic STIs

The attribute of an infection being asymptomatic makes people engage in sex that spreads sexually transmitted infections. You face and genitalia are the most visible areas of manifestation, and your bikini line may also be a nice place for these infections. The practice of unsafe sex is a high risk for the fast spread of these five asymptomatic STIs.

Human papillomavirus (HPV), HIV, Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis

People need to be aware that several STIs can exist in the body without showing symptoms for years. The human papillomavirus (HPV), HIV, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis can be asymptomatic. The director of the Female Sexual Medicine Program, Dr. Leah Millheiser said; 'It's typically gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and high-risk HPV that remain silent for the longest period.'

She also said; 'HPV virus is in your system, but your immune system, in general, will keep it in check. You may have a period where the virus is expressing itself, but the immune system puts it in remission.' Humans experience several low-risk strains of HPV; HPV 6 and 11 are causative factors for about 90 percent of genital warts.

Dr. Millheiser who doubles as a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Stanford University Medical Center is worried that people don't get early testing. More so, high-risk HPV strains like HPV 16 and 18, account for almost 70 percent of cervical cancers. Once contracted, the HPV virus is suppressible but untreated or undiagnosed cases will lead to anal, vulvae cancer, throat, and cervical, cancer.

A screening will detect this fatal infection before it spreads to vital body organs. To practice, routine STD testing is a surefire way of knowing your status after sexual intercourse with partners. Although victims may lack visible symptoms, they should observe changes in their skin and health.

Treatment plans for asymptomatic STIs

There is no cure for HPV, HIV, and herpes but like other diseases, are treatable. In more serious conditions, HIV often leads to AIDS when lack of proper treatment or early diagnosis fails. For herpes, genital warts can disappear from the skins of patients even when the infection remains. Dr. Millheiser explained that Chlamydia and Gonorrhea infections are a potential chance of death in conditions where the infections are undiagnosed or untreated.

With the use of pap smears and HPV testing, annual screenings are carried out as women are more susceptible to some of these infections that hardly show symptoms. Using protective measures like condoms and dental dams during sex can help sexual partners. Dr. Millheiser also said; 'For younger women, I recommend annual screenings for gonorrhea and Chlamydia. More so, pap smears and HPV testing should be done every three to five years.'

It is better to be safe than sorry; your reproductive health should not be left unattended. Ensure regular check up with your physicians, protect yourself and partner during sexual intercourse. To ignore STI test will not cure infections; get tested and remain sexually healthy.

Contributor: admin