Contracting a sexually transmitted disease is definitely no one’s idea of a good time. Although untreated STDs can linger and cause lasting side effects (even if symptoms are not present), most STDs can be cured quite easily if identified and treated early. In most cases, curable STDs can be eliminated within a few days or a few weeks at most. And even incurable STDs can be treated and managed thanks to groundbreaking advances in medicine. It is always best to practice safe sex and be open and honest with your sexual partners to minimize the risk of infection. But if you do contract an STD, know that it’s not the end of the world.
Curable STDs
The good news is that most sexually transmitted diseases are 100% curable if caught early enough. In fact, many are curable with nothing more than a single-dose prescription antibiotic treatment. But remember: Just having no symptoms doesn’t always mean you’re STD-free. If you have recently had sexual activity with an infected partner, it is in your best interest to find a reputable STD testing provider and get tested immediately. The sooner you can start treatment, the easier it will be to rid your body of the STD. And remember: there is no “STD immunity.” Even if you have contracted a sexually transmitted disease and subsequently recovered from it, your body is just as susceptible to contracting the disease again in the future.
Now let’s look at some of the most common curable STDs:
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is easily cured if caught early. Your healthcare provider will likely prescribe antibiotic treatment for you and it is important that you stick to it for the recommended duration, even if symptoms have disappeared. It normally takes a few days from the start of treatment for your body to be free of the infection, although it may take up to two weeks for pelvic pain to go away. It is advisable not to have sex from the start of treatment until one week after the end of treatment. Visit our gonorrhea symptoms page for more information.
Chlamydia
With the right antibiotic treatment regimen, chlamydia symptoms will clear up after a few days and the infection will be completely gone in just a week. As is the case with other STDs, you’ll want to abstain from sex during treatment and for at least a week afterward, just to be safe. Visit our chlamydia symptoms page for more information.
Syphilis
When syphilis is caught early enough, it is easily cured with prescribed antibiotics. As long as you follow your prescription exactly and for the recommended duration, early-stage syphilis usually clears up within two to six weeks from the start of treatment. Keep in mind that even if symptoms are no longer present, you will want to complete the treatment regimen exactly as prescribed. It is best to abstain from sexual activity during your treatment process. For more information, visit our syphilis symptoms page.
Trichomoniasis
Indeed, trichomoniasis is another infection that can be easily cured with the right antibiotic regimen. Typically, it takes between 7 and 10 days to clear a trichomoniasis infection. It is advisable not to have sex during this period until the test for you and your partner is negative. Visit our trichomoniasis symptoms page for more information.
Incurable STDs
Unfortunately, there are a number of sexually transmitted diseases for which there is no known cure. These STDs are spread just as easily as curable infections and symptoms can vary greatly or be non-existent depending on the infection. Fortunately, all of these diseases can be treated and/or prevented through vaccination. And it’s not at all unusual for someone to live a long and happy life even after contracting an incurable STD.
Herpes
Unfortunately, once you contract herpes (HSV-1 or HSV-2), you carry the disease for life. However, there are prescription and over-the-counter medications available to minimize the severity of sporadic outbreaks and help you control the infection. Visit our herpes symptoms page for more information.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is another treatable but not curable STD. However, unlike herpes, the hepatitis B virus goes away on its own over time (although the antiviral medications ensure there are no lasting effects). The best way to prevent hepatitis B from ever becoming a problem is to get a hepatitis B vaccine. Generally, this vaccine is administered to newborns within 24 hours of birth. Visit our hepatitis B symptoms page for more information.
HIV
Although there is no cure for HIV, antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been proven to minimize the virus, its symptoms, and the risk of transmission. In some cases, ART can suppress the virus so much that it no longer shows up in routine blood tests. And while ART and other advances in medicine can allow an HIV+ person to live as long as anyone else, the virus is still contagious and preventative measures regarding sexual activity are still strongly recommended. Visit our HIV symptoms page for more information.
Conclusion
Because there is no known natural immunity against any of these sexually transmitted diseases, every sexually active individual is at risk. And while safe sex measures like condoms can reduce the risk of transmission, the truth is that no preventative measure, aside from abstinence, is 100 percent safe. And remember, the vast majority of curable and incurable STDs rarely show visible STD symptoms. For this reason, if you suspect you have been infected, even if you feel completely fine, it is always a good idea to find a reliable provider of STD testing services and get tested. If you are positive, it is better to know sooner rather than later so that your doctor can put you on the right treatment regimen(s) right away. Curable STDs and incurable STDs are both manageable, but you need to act quickly.