Why Everyone Should Know About Asymptomatic STDs

This is a silent killer! Sexually transmitted diseases have become so common due to the prevalence of infectious diseases without symptoms - asymptomatic STDs.
Sexual health education that discusses just infections with symptoms will make those infected unaware that they are.It is very common for people to carry infections for years without knowing and passing it unto their sexual partners.

Asymptomatic STDs is like carrying a time-bomb in a bouquet! Because they're unknown, they are potentially life-threatening. STDs have been described by some scientists as the "hidden epidemic". They can cause long-term health issues like infertility and death (this is rare).

Reasons to learn about asymptomatic STDs

1. The risk of getting infected is high: It is not every time people have sex that infections are contracted, but they can be transmitted quite fast.For instance, should an infected person have unsafe sex with a new partner and the latter goes on to sleep with another partner without protection, and the third person does same, in a matter of time, the initial carrier of the infection must have transferred the STD to a good number of persons.
   
   The more the frequency of unprotected sex with infected persons, the higher the number of infected people. Do you feel you've been exposed to an STI? Kindly visit the nearest walk-in sexual health clinictoday.
2. There may be zero symptoms: Let's consider chlamydia, for instance. This infection is very common and can be treated, but half of the men and three-quarter of women infected with it have no symptoms.
   
   As for gonorrhoea, 10% of men and half of all women infected are asymptomatic. Several other STDs remain latent for a long time. Getting an infectious disease and being unaware is pretty easy. This is why you should always have safe sex.
3. The damage may be long-term: You may look healthy and symptoms-free yet have an STD. Though dormant, that STI is taking a toll on your health or that of your sexual partner. Untreated STDs can result in pelvic inflammatory disease - a damage to the reproductive tract for a long time. Consequently, infertility may set in.
4. It's important that you get screened: We usually advise people to get an STI screening to be sure they're not infected. Again, before you start having sex with that new partner, both of you should be tested for very common STDs.
   
   Don't like the idea of being tested by your regular GP? You can do it at an STD clinic. Most clinics offer free or very affordable screening for those who have a tight budget.What if after the test, the result is negative? You should jump into unprotected sex; keep the safe sex going. Keep in mind that it takes some time for the STD test to be precise. Besides, people often have several sexual partners, meaning that exposure is not limited to one source.
5. You can be asymptomatic yet spreading STDs: This is the real danger. That you have no symptoms of an incurable infection does not mean you cannot pass it on to others.Take herpes for instance, this can be transmitted without an outbreak.The same goes for HPV - responsible for cervical cancer and genital warts and HIV that results in AIDS.
   
   Knowing that these diseases have no cure should make you very cautious when it comes to sex. They can be treated to manage symptoms and make living a bit comfortable, but the psychological effect is not easy.
6. That an STD has no cure doesn't mean it can't be treated: Okay, so your infection is incurable, right, but you can take precautions to be healthier and safeguard your partner(s). One solution is suppressive therapy.For instance, herpes-infected persons can take a drug like Valtrex. Aside from reducing the chances of an outbreak, this medication minimises the risk of passing it on to your partner. But bear in mind that the risk of transmission is still present, so safe sex is vital.
   
   Condoms are not entirely reliable against HIV and herpes. Remember that these infections can be contracted via skin-to-skin.Taking preventative treatment is a great method to lower the risk of spreading HIV.
7. It's your duty to protect your health: Your sexual health is in your hands. Practising sex safe and other preventive measures can help you stay STD-free.Keep it at the top of your mind that even if you feel healthy, it is not enough to ignore an STI screening. So, visit the nearest walk-in sexual health clinicand get tested.

You may be at risk without knowing. Most importantly, you owe yourself and those around you the responsibility of being sexually healthy. Not only will it reduce the transmission of STIs, but the recurrence of some infections that makes them resistant to antibiotic treatment will also be greatly reduced.
Now that you know, do you need a test? Contact us today.