Testing positive for an STD can be distressing; however, most STDs can be managed or cured through medical treatment and lifestyle changes. Which STDs can be cured, and which ones are chronic? Keep reading to learn whether all STDs are curable.

Are STDs permanent?

Chronic STDs

Some STDs are chronic, lifelong infections. However, modern treatments have made it possible to manage even the most painful STDs, such as herpes. STDs that can be chronic include:

Herpes
HPV
Hepatitis B
HIV/AIDS

A common misconception is that HIV/AIDS is the most dangerous STD, but in reality, modern treatments can make the virus undetectable in your blood. As a result, people living with HIV/AIDS can lead a normal life as long as they follow their treatment correctly.

Curable STDs

There are other STDs that can be fully cured with the right treatment. All curable STDs are caused by bacteria or parasites, as opposed to viruses. According to the World Health Organization, STDs that you can get rid of with treatment include:

Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Trichomoniasis
Syphilis

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Can STDs go away on their own?

Some STDs can go away on their own, but you shouldn’t avoid seeking treatment in the hopes that an infection will go away. It’s impossible to predict who will be able to clear an STD on their own and who won’t, and untreated STDs can have long lasting consequences. Additionally, some STDs can remain asymptomatic for many years, but you can still transmit them to your partner(s).

According to Planned Parenthood, your immune system may be able to clear HPV and hepatitis B on its own. According to the CDC, the immune system clears most cases of HPV within 2 years of the infection. But in other cases, these viruses can turn into chronic and incurable sexually transmitted diseases, so you shouldn’t wait before seeking medical assistance.

You may be worrying about the worst STDs to live with, but the good news is that modern medicine has made it possible to lead a normal life even with non-curable STDs. Of course, there are certain precautions you’ll need to take — such as taking antiviral treatment or avoiding intercourse during herpes outbreaks.

List of rare STDs

Some STDs are extremely rare — in fact, you’ve probably never heard of most of them. Rare pathogens that can be transmitted during sex include:

Lymphogranuloma Venereum
Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV)
Shigella
Intestinal parasites
Donovanosis or granuloma inguinale
Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen)

The best way to access an early diagnosis and treatment is by making sure you’re getting tested for STDs regularly. Thanks to at-home STD testing kits, you simply have to order your kit online, collect your samples at home, mail them back, and wait for your results. You can learn more about how at-home STD testing works at STDWatch.com.

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