Condition

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Reviewed by Dr Abhishek Kumar on 23 September 2026

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections passed on through vaginal, anal or oral sex. Some, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis, are bacterial and are treated and cleared with the right antibiotic; others, such as genital herpes and HIV, are viral and are managed with ongoing treatment rather than cleared completely. Many cause no symptoms at first, which is why testing rather than waiting for symptoms is how most are found.

Book a private consultation

STIs are far from rare: the World Health Organization estimated 376 million new infections of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and syphilis worldwide in a single year, roughly one million treatable STIs acquired every day^[1]. A large share of these infections cause no symptoms at all, especially in the first weeks, so the number of men carrying an infection unknowingly is higher than diagnosis figures alone suggest. That combination — common, often silent, and readily treated once found — is why routine testing after a new or unprotected partner, together with treating and informing any recent partner so the infection is not passed back and forth, is the standard approach rather than waiting for a symptom^[2].

When to see a doctor

Seek care without delay if

Fever together with a spreading rash or joint pain needs urgent in-person assessment, as it can signal a disseminated infection.
Severe lower-abdominal pain, especially with fever, needs same-day care, as it can signal a spreading pelvic infection.
Severe testicular pain or swelling needs urgent assessment.
A widespread rash, especially on the palms and soles, together with fever needs prompt in-person evaluation.
Discharge together with fever and feeling generally unwell needs urgent same-day assessment rather than a routine booking.

Book a consultation when

A new sexual partner, or sex without a condom, is a reason to book a testing appointment even without symptoms.
Any new discharge, sore, rash, burning on passing urine or pelvic discomfort is worth a prompt consultation.
A recent partner reporting an infection means testing, and treatment if needed, should be booked even if you feel well.
Avoid sex, including with a regular partner, until treatment is complete and any recommended follow-up test confirms it has cleared.
Once diagnosed, inform recent partners so they can be tested and treated too, ideally with the consultation's help on how.

Some symptoms need prompt care: when to seek emergency or specialist care.

How each system of medicine approaches Sexually Transmitted Infections

System	Approach	Typical review period
Modern medicine	Testing first, treatment matched to what is found: assessment considers symptoms, recent sexual exposure and examination findings. Depending on the suspected infection, testing may involve urine, a swab, or a blood test. Treatment is then selected according to the organism and current treatment guidance.	Most bacterial infections clear with a single dose or a short course of antibiotic and are usually retested a few weeks later to confirm it worked; viral infections are followed with regular reviews rather than a fixed end point, since the treatment continues.	Supported by clinical guidelines Antibiotic treatment for bacterial STIs follows clinical treatment guidelines, while structured partner notification is supported by systematic-review evidence.

Modern medicine for Sexually Transmitted Infections

Bacterial STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomoniasis are treated with a specific antibiotic chosen for that organism, guided for gonorrhoea by local resistance patterns. Viral infections such as genital herpes and HIV are managed with antiviral treatment that controls the virus and greatly lowers the chance of passing it on, even though the virus itself stays in the body^[3].

Bacterial and other treatable STIs: infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomoniasis have effective treatments, but the treatment differs by infection. Gonorrhoea in particular requires current guidance because antibiotic resistance affects treatment choices^[3].
Viral infections are managed, not necessarily cleared: herpes remains in the body but can be treated to reduce symptoms and recurrences. HIV can be controlled with antiretroviral treatment, which can reduce the amount of virus to an undetectable level; people who maintain an undetectable viral load do not sexually transmit HIV (U=U).
Partner notification works: a systematic review of ways to inform a patient's recent partners found that structured approaches, such as a provider contacting the partner or the patient carrying treatment to them directly, led to more partners being tested and treated than simply advising the patient to mention it^[2].
Testing without symptoms: many STIs can cause few or no symptoms, so testing after a new sexual exposure or other relevant risk can identify infections that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Follow-up can matter: some infections, particularly gonorrhoea, may require follow-up testing depending on the infection site, treatment used, and local guidance because antimicrobial resistance can affect treatment success.
HIV needs specific follow-up: a positive HIV test requires specialist or appropriately trained clinical care for confirmatory testing, treatment, monitoring, and prevention of transmission.

Doctors of this system: Sexologist in India

What is known and what remains uncertain

Known: bacterial STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomoniasis are cleared with the correct antibiotic taken as prescribed.
Known: viral infections such as herpes and HIV remain in the body but are controlled with ongoing antiviral treatment.
Known: a systematic review found structured partner-notification approaches led to more partners being tested and treated than simply advising the patient to mention it.
Uncertain: because many STIs cause no early symptoms, how many infections go undiagnosed is less precisely known than treated-case counts.
Uncertain: antibiotic choice for gonorrhoea depends on local resistance patterns, which shift over time and are not fixed.

Questions to ask your doctor

Which infections does this test actually check for, and are there others I should ask about?
How and when should I retest to confirm the treatment worked?
How long should I avoid sex after starting treatment?
How should I go about informing my partner, and can the practice help with that?
If this is a viral infection, what does ongoing management actually involve?
What should I do if my symptoms do not improve after treatment?

Doctors who consult for Sexually Transmitted Infections

Dr Abhishek Kumar

Qualification
M.B.B.S

System of medicine
Modern medicine

Registration
Reg. No. 73512, West Bengal Medical Council

Frequently Asked Questions

Can STIs be treated without a test?

It isn't advisable. Different organisms need different antibiotics, and a symptom alone does not identify which one is present; testing before treatment means the right drug is used and any other infection present at the same time is not missed^[3].

Can every STI be treated and cleared?

Bacterial infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomoniasis are treated and cleared with antibiotics. Viral infections such as herpes and HIV are not cleared from the body, but they are managed with treatment that controls them well^[3].

Do I need to tell my partner?

Yes, and a consultation can help with how. A review of partner notification methods found that structured support, rather than simply being asked to mention it, led to more partners actually being tested and treated^[2].

I have no symptoms — do I still need testing?

Often yes. Many STIs cause no symptoms in the weeks after infection, which is exactly why testing after a new or unprotected partner, rather than waiting to feel unwell, is how most infections are actually found.

How common are STIs really?

More common than most people assume: global estimates put new infections of just four treatable STIs at over a million a day^[1]. That scale is part of why testing is treated as routine rather than exceptional.

References

Rowley J, Vander Hoorn S, Korenromp E, et al. Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and syphilis: global prevalence and incidence estimates, 2016. Bull World Health Organ. 2019;97(8):548-562P. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.18.228486
Trelle S, Shang A, Nartey L, Cassell JA, Low N. Improved effectiveness of partner notification for patients with sexually transmitted infections: systematic review. BMJ. 2007;334(7589):354. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39079.460741.7C
Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1

This information is general and educational. It is not a diagnosis; please discuss your situation with the doctor during your consultation.

Found something on this page that is inaccurate or out of date? Report a content correction. Read how our pages are written in the medical content policy.