What are latent STIs?

When most people think of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), they often think of obvious, visible symptoms, like rashes, blisters, or unusual discharge.

However, STIs can lurk in the body undetected for months, years, or even decades without any noticeable symptoms. When an STI exists in the body but isn’t actively replicating and doesn’t show any discernible symptoms, the infection is called “latent”.

In this blog, we will discuss what STIs are, what latent infections are, how they can be dangerous, and the STIs that can be latent.

What is an STI?

First, let’s define what STIs are.

An STI is an infection whose primary mode of transmission is through sexual contact, such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex. However, many STIs can also be transmitted without full intercourse, like through sharing sex toys, digital stimulation, or heavy petting.

STIs can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. They can affect anyone who is sexually active, regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation.

What is a latent STI?

Now, what is a latent infection?

A latent STI is an infection that is present in the body but that doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms. This means that people may be unaware that they have an STI until they get tested.

Having a latent infection can be dangerous because the infected person may spread the infection without knowing it. As a result, the number of people who have the infection can grow exponentially without anyone knowing. (This is why it is important to get tested regularly for STIs. If an STI is detected early, it can be treated effectively before it causes any long-term damage.)

Which STIs can be latent?

Most sexually transmitted infections are symptomless and can go undetected for long periods of time. However, just because there are no symptoms doesn’t mean there is no danger to your health.

Here are some STIs that can have significant latent periods.

HIV

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is caused by a virus that attacks the immune system. When left untreated, HIV can progress into AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). People infected with HIV often experience minimal or no symptoms of their infection, and, as a result, they may not know they are infected until their condition has progressed significantly.

Without treatment, the virus will continue to reproduce, attacking the host’s immune system until they are no longer able to fight off other infections.

While HIV can cause flu-like symptoms in its initial stages, the virus tends to go into a latency period soon after, where it quietly replicates and attacks the host’s immune system with no outward symptoms. Viruses that become dormant in immune cells go unnoticed by the immune system and do not respond to therapies. These viruses may reactivate in the future.

Syphilis

Syphilis has a very particular latency period.

A Syphilis infection has three stages: primary, secondary, and latent. During the primary stage, a chancre may appear at the site of infection.

If left untreated, the infection progresses to the secondary stage, characterized by symptoms such as rashes, fever, swollen glands, sore throat, hair loss, headaches, and muscle aches.

If still untreated, the infection can enter the latent stage, where the infection causes damage to internal organs such as the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints.

Syphilis can be particularly pernicious and dangerous because its initial symptoms are often mistaken for other illnesses, like the flu.

Herpes

Herpes Simplex Viruses can cause sores around the mouth, genitals, and anus. There are two strains of Herpes Simplex Virus. HSV I usually infects the area around the mouth and causes cold sores. HSV II tends to infect the genitals and cause sores there.

After the initial infection, the virus remains dormant in the body until an outbreak is triggered and sores erupt around the affected area. A person infected with Herpes may experience subsequent outbreaks, which can be triggered by external stimuli or simply occur randomly on their own.

There is no cure for Herpes. However, outbreaks of Herpes can be managed with medication.

Final thoughts

Remember, it’s crucial to get tested if you are sexually active, regardless of whether or not you have any symptoms. It’s a simple process, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your status is worth it.

At Better2Know, we offer a range of discreet and confidential STI testing services. Don’t let them lurk undetected – book a test today.