Can I still have an STI if I feel fine?

This article first appeared on 27/01/2023. Last updated 04/04/2025.

One of the tricky things about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is knowing whether you actually have one.

Most people assume they can tell if they have an infection when they experience symptoms, but this isn’t necessarily the case.

Most STIs are asymptomatic, which means that, even though you may have an established infection, you may not experience any symptoms. Some STIs can also produce symptoms that can be confused for other, less serious infections. Some people can have an STI for months or years and not know it.

So, should you get tested, even if you feel fine?

Keep reading to find out.

If you’re worried about a recent sexual encounter, get tested today with Better2Know.

How do I get an STI?

Most STIs are passed on through unprotected sex. This includes unprotected vaginal and anal sex – and most people don’t know that they can get an STI from oral sex, too.

But you don’t have to have full intercourse to get an STI. Some STIs can be contracted through digital stimulation of the genitals, kissing, and simple skin-to-skin contact.

Although less common, you can also get some STIs through:

• Contaminated blood transfusions
• Sharing needles for drugs
• Needle stick injuries (common in healthcare settings)
• Eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water
• Sharing personal hygiene products that may break the skin, like toothbrushes and razors

In some cases, mothers can pass on an STI to their baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. This is called “vertical transmission”.

How common are STIs?

STIs are a lot more common than you may think. It’s estimated that 1 million people contract a new STI every day all around the world, though this can vary by region.

A recent study of the Middle East and North Africa region found that the prevalence of certain STIs differed depending on the country.

In North Africa, the most common STIs were Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and HPV, whereas in the Gulf region and Yemen, Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma topped the list. In the Levant region, HPV and Hepatitis B were the most common infections.

The analysis also observed some sex-based disparities. Men were more likely to have Herpes, Gonorrhoea, and Ureaplasma, whereas women had higher rates of Mycoplasma, HPV, and Hepatitis B.

All these statistics should be taken with a grain of salt, however. Most countries in the Middle East and North Africa lack national STI screening programs, and the data they collected were largely from people who experienced symptoms.

How likely am I to get an STI?

There’s no way to know for sure if you’ll get an STI during sex. But there are some risk factors that will make it more likely to get one.

You’re more likely to get an STI if:

• You have an existing STI, like Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea
• You do not engage in safe sex
• You engage in anal sex
• You have multiple sexual partners
• You have begun a sexual relationship with a new partner
• You’re immunocompromised
• You regularly ingest alcohol and drugs
• You engage in risky sexual practices, like chemsex
• You have cuts or open sores in your genitals or in your mouth or anus while having sex

Common STI symptoms

With all that said, STIs can cause symptoms, and when they do, it can be easy to confuse them with something else.

It’s very common for people to experience symptoms and not act on them for a very long time. While this is understandable (since knowing you have an STI can be stressful for many people), it’s far better for your overall health to know you STI status. This way, you can take action and get treatment.

Some crucial symptoms of common STIs include:

• Painful urination
• Itchiness around your genitals
• Painful intercourse
• Unusual vaginal discharge in women
• Discharge from the penis in men
• Unusual spots, rash, blisters or another skin blemish in your genital area
• Genital pain
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Weakness

If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you should visit a health clinic and get tested as soon as possible. Once you know whether or not you have an STI, you can start to treat the infection.

Can I have an STI if I feel fine?

Yes, it’s possible to feel perfectly fine and still have an STI.

Because STIs are often asymptomatic, many people don’t know they have one. Chlamydia, for example, doesn’t display any symptoms in 50% of men and 75% of women. Around 20% of men and 25% of women will also not experience symptoms during a Gonorrhoea infection. Viral STIs like Hepatitis B and Herpes can also lay dormant in the body before they suddenly start to show symptoms.

If left untreated, STIs can progress and become more severe. Common complications of untreated STIs can include:

• Infertility
• Ectopic pregnancies
• Complications during childbirth
• Damage to major organ systems like the liver, brain, bones, and heart
• Damage to the immune system
• Susceptibility to certain cancers, like cervical cancer and penile cancer

Can I still have sex?

If you think you may have gotten an STI, you shouldn’t have sex. Stop all sexual activity and get tested as soon as possible.

If you have an STI, even if you don’t have any symptoms, you can still pass on your infection to your sexual partner. You may also run the risk of catching another STI while you’re at it.

Final thoughts

When you have a new sexual partner, the only positive way to know if you are not carrying an STI is to get a screening. Be responsible for your own health and get regularly screened to keep yourself and others safe. Call us now on the number above to schedule an appointment or find a clinic near you.  

Don’t leave your sexual health to chance. Book an STI test at a Better2Know clinic near you.