I took medication for my STI. Am I still contagious?

So, you found out you had an STI. You took a test and scheduled an appointment with a doctor to get it treated.

But you may be wondering: after taking medication, are you still contagious? This might be a tricky question to answer for a few reasons.

The right answer can depend on the infection that you have, your overall health, and other factors.

In this article, we’ll explore what STIs are, how they are transmitted, how they are treated, and whether a person can still spread an infection after taking medication.

What are STIs?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections whose primary mode of transmission is sexual contact. When left untreated, STIs can cause long-lasting health challenges.

However, a lot of people don’t get tested for STIs because they are afraid of finding out something shameful or scary. The truth is that the STI that causes the most damage is the STI that goes unseen.

How are STIs transmitted?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are transmitted from person to person through unprotected sexual contact. This includes sexual intercourse but can also include things like oral sex and sharing sex toys. In certain instances, you can also transmit an STI through non-sexual means, such as sharing needles when injecting drugs.

How are STIs treated?

Most STIs can be treated with medication.

The type of medication you take will depend on the kind of STI you have contracted, as well as how severe the infection is. Some STIs will require a course of antibiotics, while others require only one dose.

Some STIs, on the other hand, can’t be fully cured. Infections like Herpes, HPV, and HIV live permanently in the body. However, with the right treatment, these infections can be effectively managed to help people live healthy and happy lives.

Can someone spread an infection after taking medication?

Your ability to spread an infection after you take medication will depend on several factors.

What kind of infection you have

Bacterial infections like Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea can be completely cured. However, viral infections tend to be more pernicious.

Herpes, for example, lives permanently in your body and requires medication to make outbreaks less severe and infectious. Not taking medication to treat the symptoms of a Herpes outbreak can make the carrier more infectious.

The same goes for other viral infections like HIV. HIV is a serious infection, but massive strides have been made in its treatment to the point that, as long as the appropriate treatment is sought, many people who get with HIV can live a normal life. However, if treatment is neglected and medication not taken, someone with HIV can easily pass on the infection.

The strength of the medication

While many infections can be treated with widely available medications, some infections require stronger medications to completely clear them from your system.

Certain infections have developed resistance to common antibiotics and require more powerful medicines to be treated.

If you took the medication correctly

Some infections require several doses for the treatment to be fully effective. If these medications are taken incorrectly – for instance, if doses are taken too far apart or if none are taken – the infection could reassert itself.

Whether you get another infection

Many people might think that if they get an infection and take the medication for it, they are immune to it. This isn’t true.

It’s possible to get an infection, get treated for it, and then get the infection again. If you get infected a second time, even after taking medication, you can pass on the infection.

Final thoughts

It’s crucial to get tested and treated for STIs early to avoid complications and further spread.

If you think you may have an STI, you should get tested. Better2Know offers comprehensive STI testing services. Don’t let fear or uncertainty take control of your sexual health – get tested today.

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