Can You Have an STD and Not Know It? What About Your Partner(s)?

Key Takeaways

The answer is ‘YES’.

For the vast majority of people who contract STDs, symptoms never appear. And that’s a big problem—it leads to delayed or missed testing, allowing STDs to silently spread and cause harm..

For example:

• 75% of infected women and 50% of infected men do not show symptoms of Chlamydia¹.
• About 50% of the women never show any symptoms of Gonorrhea^2.
• Up to 90% of the people with Herpes don’t show symptoms or show such mild symptoms that can be easily confused with some other skin conditions³
• Up to 60% of the people with Acute HIV do not show symptoms⁴
• Up to 70% of infected with Trichomoniasis never show symptoms⁵

…and so on.

Don’t wait till it’s too late.

In many cases, STDs remain undetected until serious complications arise. If left untreated, they can cause irreversible damage to your health. While treatment can prevent further harm, it cannot undo the damage already done.

Dangers of Untreated STDs.

Untreated STDs can cause serious health issues, including:

• Untreated Chlamydia and gonorrhea →Can lead to infertility in women and increase the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.
• Pregnant mothers with chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, or syphilis → Can pass these infections to their newborns.
• Untreated HIV → Can lead to AIDS, a life-threatening autoimmune disease.
• Herpes → Can cause blindness and brain infections if left untreated.
• Untreated Hepatitis C → Can lead to liver cancer or liver failure, which can be fatal.
• Syphilis → If untreated, can lead to tumors, arterial inflammation, and severe organ damage.

One STD Increases Your Risk for Others.

If you have one untreated STD, your risk of contracting additional infections increases significantly. STDs compromise the immune system and make it easier for new infections to take hold.

What you don’t know – you don’t know

It seems logical to assume that if your sexual partner tells you they tested positive for chlamydia, then you only need to worry about chlamydia.

But that assumption is not entirely true.

Your partner may have other STDs that they:

• Don’t show symptoms for.
• Never got tested for.
• Aren’t aware they carry.

This can lead to a false sense of security that you have not been exposed to other infections.

When you sleep with someone, you figuratively sleep with everyone they’ve been with before. And without symptoms or prior testing, you have no way of knowing what infections might still be dormant in their system.

An intimate encounter that transmits one STD can simultaneously transmit multiple STDs—because when bodily fluids are exchanged during sex, more than one infection can be passed at the same time. 

How much do you know about your sexual partners’ history with STDs?

In an ideal world, partners would openly discuss their sexual history before becoming intimate. This would allow both individuals to take precautions and ensure a safe encounter.

However, this is easier said than done.

Why Is This Conversation So Difficult?

Because it’s a sensitive topic, and many people prefer to avoid it altogether. Some common reasons include:

• In the heat of the moment, no one wants to pause to have a serious conversation.
• Alcohol or drug use during a first-time hookup may cause partners to overlook the need for protection or testing.
• Embarrassment about past STDs, even if they were treated.
• Fear of bringing up past sexual encounters, which may stir unresolved emotions or conflicts.
• A desire to keep past sexual history, partners, or drug use private.
• Being in a committed relationship or marriage while secretly engaging with other sexual partners.

…just to name a few.

Because of these factors, it’s nearly impossible to assess your STD risk based on symptoms or trust alone. The best way to truly know?

???? You and your partner should get tested.

Understanding Who Is at Higher Risk for STDs

While anyone can contract an STD, certain groups have a significantly higher risk of exposure. You should be especially proactive about testing if you:

• Are between 15 and 24 years old (highest STD rates are in this age group).
• Are a man who has sex with men (MSM).
• Have a history of a prior STDs.
• Are HIV-positive.
• Are a pregnant woman.
• Have spent time in a correctional facility or juvenile detention center.
• Have a history of Illicit drug use.
• Have or had multiple sex partners or engage with partners who do.

…just to name a few.

Summary

Whether it's a urine sample, swab, or blood test, early detection through regular testing is key to managing and treating STDs effectively. Don't hesitate to talk to a healthcare professional about your concerns and get tested as soon as possible after exposure.

You won't know if you need treatment till you test and know if you, in fact, have an STD.

Feeling unsure about testing? Do not worry; at SaferSTDTesting.com, we have all the information you need to explore your options and stay safe.