Is it necessary to Get Tested for STDs without symptoms?
Most of the time, people do not know they have a sexually transmitted infection until they undergo an annual check-up. The first reaction to a diagnosis is often disbelief and shock since patients had no symptoms.
Unfortunately, many STDs remain undiagnosed because they are asymptomatic. A person may not experience painful sensations and notice outward signs of disease, whereas the pathogen remains hidden in the body for years.
STDs With No Symptoms
There is a list of the most common types of STDs diagnosed in more than half of patients during a routine examination.
Chlamydia
The disease is caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. The incidence of chlamydia is particularly high due to the lack of noticeable symptoms. Estimates show that four out of five women cannot resist the infection. However, men are also vulnerable to developing the disease.
Chlamydia is not a life-threatening condition, but can cause serious long-term complications in both men and women. It may lead to the development of cystitis, prostatitis, pyelonephritis, erectile dysfunction, gynecological diseases, and infertility.
Ureaplasmosis
Ureaplasma is a species of gram-negative bacteria. Approximately 70% of sexually active men and women become carriers of this infection. Mild symptoms of the disease in men resemble the manifestation of prostatitis. Women may experience a burning sensation when urinating. Ureaplasma can be transmitted through sexual contact and household contact. The infection is associated with a high risk of prostatitis in men and female infertility.
Human Papillomavirus
More than 60% of people are infected with HPV at some point in their lives. The infection is spread through sexual contact, such as vaginal, anal, and oral sex, causing the formation of warts in the anogenital tract (anus and genitals). Most of them are classified as benign lesions, but some cause changes that can develop into cancer.
Asymptomatic Bacteriospermia (ABS)
It is a silent infection of the male reproductive tract. In women, the causative bacterial agents are usually found in the rectal mucosa but rarely in the vagina. Having sexual contact with women who carry this type of bacteria can cause infection in men with weak antimicrobial activity of the prostate gland. ABS leads to motility reduction of spermatozoa and decreased male fertility.
HIV Infection
The initial stage of infection is usually asymptomatic. The disease gradually destroys certain types of blood cells and eventually weakens the body's immune system, progressing to AIDS-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Unfortunately, people may have more than one sexually transmitted disease at a time after unprotected sexual intercourse. For example, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis can occur together, as well as syphilis and chlamydia. In this case, the diagnosis and treatment of multiple STDs require more complicated techniques.
How Can You Tell if You Have Hidden STDs?
To determine if you have an STD, you should visit your doctor for a routine checkup and get some lab tests done. It is important to understand that any disease is easily treatable if detected in its early stages. Testing for STDs may include swab tests: urethral swabs for men and endocervical swabs for women.
How to Prepare for an STD Test?
- wait at least three weeks after unprotected (unsafe) sexual contact
- stop taking antibiotics four weeks before STD testing
- abstain from having sexual intercourse for 24 hours
- avoid attending STD testing during periods
- do not use disinfectants and antibacterial soap to rinse your genitals on the day of testing
STD Facts to Help You Stay Healthy
- You can get an STD even during your first time having sex.
- You can acquire an STD even if you know your partner.
- You can't tell by looking if a person has an STD.
- You can catch an STD through oral sex.
- You can have more than one STD at the same time.
- You can get the same STD multiple times.
- If you have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection, you should notify your sexual partners so that they can get appropriate medical care and receive psychological assistance if necessary.
Even if you use protection every time, you should get tested regularly. It is recommended to be screened at least once or twice a year.