Can STIs come back on their own?

Many people who have contracted an STI wonder if their infection can come back, even after treatment. This concern is perfectly reasonable. After all, you want to make sure you live a happy and healthy life.

In this article, we’ll discuss what STIs are, how they are transmitted, how they are treated, and how STIs can come back. We’ll also talk about which STIs can come back even after treatment. Whether you want to learn more about STIs or are concerned about a recent infection, this post has everything you need to know.

What are STIs?

STIs are infections that are typically passed from one person to another through sexual contact. These infections can affect both men and women, and they can have serious health consequences if left untreated.

How are STIs transmitted?

STIs can be transmitted through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. They can also be passed through skin-to-skin contact, such as during genital rubbing or oral sex, and also through sharing things like sex toys and needles when injecting drugs. The risk of contracting an STI can also be increased if you have multiple sex partners or if you have unprotected sex.

How are STIs treated?

Most STIs can be effectively treated with antibiotics or antiviral medications. These drugs are usually administered orally or through injection.

In some cases, such as with Herpes, these infections live in the body permanently, and medication is used to manage symptoms. It’s important to get tested for STIs if you suspect that you may have been infected. The earlier an infection is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.

How can STIs come back?

STIs can come back, even after treatment.

In some cases, the infection may not have been fully treated, and some bacteria or viruses can remain in the body. In other cases, a new exposure to an infected partner can cause a recurrence of a previous infection.

Which STIs can come back?

Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, and other bacterial infections can usually be cured with antibiotics. However, these infections can come back if the treatment wasn’t successful the first time or if you are exposed to the infection again.

Unsuccessful treatment usually occurs when the patient takes their medication incorrectly, or doesn’t take their full dose. This incredibly common occurrence is actually responsible for the rise in antibiotic-resistant STIs. These STIs have built up an immunity to the antibiotics that are usually used to treat them, requiring more powerful drugs and therapies.

Concordantly, some viral infections like Herpes can come back in the form of outbreaks.

It’s important to manage these infections with medication and regular testing to ensure the health and wellbeing of you and those you care about.

Final thoughts

STIs can indeed come back, even after they are treated.

If you suspect that you may have an STI, don’t wait to get tested. Early detection and treatment can prevent serious health consequences down the road.