No one likes getting sick, and most people, if given the option, would like to avoid getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

STIs are incredibly common – millions of sexually active people contract these infections every day. And while the vast majority of infections can be cured with medication, a select few infections are permanent once you get them.

However, this fact doesn’t mean that you have to worry. Most individuals can lead happy and healthy lives if these infections are caught early and treated.

But which infections can’t be cured, and how are they treated? Keep reading as we explore the incurable STIs, available treatments, and more.

Don’t leave your sexual health to chance. Get tested with Better2Know today.

Herpes

Herpes exists in two forms: Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2).

Both strains can cause Genital or Oral Herpes, though HSV-1 typically leads to Oral Herpes and HSV-2 to Genital Herpes. The virus sets up shop in nerve endings near your mouth or genitals and periodically rises to the skin, causing symptoms. Infected people are most contagious during these outbreaks.

During a Herpes outbreak, you may experience symptoms like:

• Fluid-filled blisters and/or sores around the mouth or genitals, which burst and scab over
• Pain, tingling, and itching around the affected area
• Fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes (these symptoms occur shortly after the initial infection and tend not to recur during subsequent outbreaks)

In most cases, the initial outbreak causes the most severe symptoms. As time goes on and your immune system adapts to the presence of the virus, outbreaks will become less intense.

Treatment usually involves antiviral medications, which are taken for varying durations depending on the individual. These medications help prevent the virus from replicating, reducing outbreaks’ frequency and severity.

Are you experiencing the symptoms of Herpes? Get tested at home with our Herpes Home Test Kit.

Hepatitis B

Most acute Hepatitis B infections are cleared by the immune system with very few discernible symptoms, if any. However, in around 20% of cases, the infection becomes chronic, lasting anywhere between six months and several years. This infection can also be permanent for some people.

During a chronic infection, the virus causes substantial damage to the liver tissue, potentially causing liver disease, liver cancer, liver failure, and cirrhosis.

Fortunately, there is a vaccine available to prevent Hepatitis B. If you haven’t been vaccinated or are unsure about your vaccination status, ask your Better2Know Sexual Health Advisor about getting the Hepatitis B Immunity test to check your immune status, or getting the vaccine to protect your sexual health.

Treatment for Hepatitis B varies based on individual health factors, particularly liver function. If you think you may have Hepatitis B, you may need to seek out specialised treatment if you test positive.

Concerned that you may have Hepatitis B? Find out your HBV status with our Home Test Kit.

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), once contracted, will result in a lifelong infection. Most people get HIV through unprotected vaginal and anal sex, but the virus can also be transmitted through sharing needles for intravenous drug use, unsterilised tattooing equipment, needle stick injuries, and other forms of blood-to-blood contact.

Many people who contract HIV don’t know that they have it. Symptoms of an acute HIV infection can often be confused with the symptoms of other, less serious infections or not appear at all, and so the infected person never thinks to seek testing or treatment.

Following the initial infection, the virus remains latent in the body, reproducing and damaging your immune system. The result of this damage may not be seen for several years. As HIV advances in the body, symptoms of a weakened immune system start to appear.

Common symptoms include:

• Unintentional weight loss
• Chronic diarrhoea
• Recurrent infections, such as chest infections
• Skin rashes, especially on the face, genitals or anus
• Increased Herpes ulcers or Thrush infections on and around the mouth and genitals
• Sweats, especially at night
• Unusual tiredness
• Nausea or loss of appetite
• Swollen lymph glands in the neck, groin or armpits

The good news is that if an HIV infection is spotted early through testing, the condition can be managed with antiretroviral medication. This medication helps reduce the HIV viral load in your body, keeping your immune system healthy and reducing or eliminating the likelihood of passing on the infection to someone else.

Worried about your HIV status? Get tested in the comfort of your own home with our Home Test Kit.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection, with over 140 different strains. Many of these are passed on through sexual activity.

Strains of HPV fall into two categories: low-risk or high-risk.

Low-risk HPV can cause Genital Warts on or around the genitals or anus. (Around 90% of Genital Warts are caused by HPV 11 and 16.) These fleshy protuberances can appear for six months or two years before going away as the body clears the HPV infection. While Genital Warts are largely harmless, they can be removed with interventions like cremes, freezing, or surgery.

High-risk HPV types, however, are linked to a higher risk of cancers, such as cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, and anus. Notably, HPV 16 and 18 are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancer cases.

Fortunately, an HPV vaccine can prevent new high-risk infections. Routine HPV screening can detect high-risk infections early, allowing for medical interventions to remove precancerous cells and prevent cancer development.

Are you experiencing Genital Warts? Use our swab Home Test Kit to get tested today.

Tips for STD prevention

Preventing STIs begins with practising safe sex. This involves consistently and correctly using condoms, dental dams, or other protective barriers during every sexual encounter. It’s also crucial to understand how STIs spread; for instance, while many associate sexual transmission with vaginal or anal sex, some STIs can also be transmitted through oral sex. You can also get STIs from sharing sex toys.

In addition to safe sex practices, regular STD screenings are vital, especially if you have multiple sexual partners or are not in a mutually monogamous relationship.

Final thoughts

Depending on the infection, living with an STI can be a challenge. But in most cases, treating these infections can help you lead a normal, healthy life.

If you think you may have been exposed to an STI, get tested with Better2Know’s Full Screen, which tests for the UK’s seven most common infections.

Better2Know offers the UK’s most comprehensive private STI testing options.