Oops I did it again (Can you catch the same STI twice?)

Many people are surprised to learn that you can catch the same STI twice. Some of the most common STIs that can be caught more than once are chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis.

Yes, You Can Contract Chlamydia Even if You Have Had It Before

But don’t let that scare you! By the time that you get to the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what you need to do in order to protect yourself from contracting chlamydia twice.

Here is what you need to know about STI reinfections and how you can find out if you’re infected.

How Does a Person Get Re-Infected With Chlamydia?

So, how do people get chlamydia one, two, or even more times? Having an STD once does not mean that you can’t get it again. In fact, it’s common enough that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that a person be tested again three months after being treated for chlamydia.

It Can Spontaneously Re-Occur

Research suggests that chlamydia can re-occur after the initial infection. A study in 2014 demonstrated that chlamydia can remain dormant within the digestive system of animals and reappear several years later. Although this study was not conducted on humans, it suggests that “spontaneous” reinfections are possible. This fact is concerning, especially since there may not be any obvious symptoms while it’s laying dormant.

The Initial Infection Wasn’t Cured

If the initial infection wasn’t cured, then chlamydia can come back. This can happen if a person stops taking the antibiotic early. This is why it’s so important to take the medication exactly as prescribed.

You Have a New Partner

If you have a new sexual partner and they have chlamydia, they can transmit it to you. You may become re-infected, even if you have had it before. Although the body develops antibodies to chlamydia, these antibodies don’t stay in the body forever, which means that you can become infected again. This is why it’s so important to get tested before having any kind of sexual contact with someone new.

What Happens if You Get Chlamydia Two Times?

If you contract chlamydia a second (or third time) and do not seek treatment, you can experience potentially serious negative effects on your reproductive health. Chlamydia is associated with infertility in women and potentially lower sperm quality in men. While chlamydia is relatively easy to treat with antibiotics, the potential long-term damage is devastating to those who would like to have children someday. This is why it’s so important to be tested on a regular basis for these serious diseases, so you can receive the treatment you need.

Can Every STI Be Cured?

The short answer is no.

While most STIs are curable, some are not. Herpes and HIV are two examples of serious STIs which can be managed through medication. However, there is no known cure for them. The rates of HIV continue to increase throughout the Middle East. Because of this, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the symptoms associated with commonly spread STIs so you know when to get tested.

Final Thoughts

While most STIs are easily cured with antibiotics, they are also highly infectious. This is especially concerning if you aren’t sure of your partner’s sexual history or if you haven’t been screened for STIs. Protect your loved ones and find out your status by booking an appointment for a screening today.           

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Sources:

• Chlamydial Infections – STI Treatment Guidelines
• Hidden in Plain Sight: Chlamydial Gastrointestinal Infection and Its Relevance to Persistence in Human Genital Infection | Infection and Immunity
• British Fertility Society calls for more research into effects of Chlamydia on fertility – British Fertility Society | BFS
• Genital herpes – NHS
• HIV and AIDS – NHS