Silent But Serious: The Hidden Risks of Untreated STIs

The Silent Threat

Many STIs earn the label "silent" because they cause no obvious symptoms. But silent doesn't mean harmless. Without treatment, these infections can quietly cause serious damage over months or years.

Understanding these risks isn't about creating fear – it's about empowering you to protect your health through testing and early treatment.

Why Untreated STIs Are Dangerous

The Asymptotic Problem

• Most STIs cause no symptoms initially
• You can have an infection for years without knowing
• During this time, damage accumulates silently
• Complications may be irreversible by the time symptoms appear

Ongoing Transmission

• Without knowing you're infected, you can spread STIs to partners
• Partners may develop complications even if you don't
• This perpetuates the cycle of infection in communities

Complications by Infection

Untreated Chlamydia

In Women:

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

• Occurs in up to 40% of women with untreated chlamydia
• Infection spreads from cervix to uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries
• Causes chronic pelvic pain in many sufferers
• Can develop with no warning symptoms

Infertility

• PID causes scarring of the fallopian tubes
• Eggs cannot travel from ovaries to uterus
• One of the leading preventable causes of infertility in the UK
• May only be discovered when trying to conceive

Ectopic Pregnancy

• Fertilised egg implants in fallopian tube instead of uterus
• Life-threatening emergency requiring immediate surgery
• Risk significantly increased by tubal scarring from PID

Chronic Pain

• Ongoing pelvic discomfort
• Painful periods
• Pain during sex
• Can persist even after treatment if scarring has occurred

In Men:

Epididymitis

• Painful infection and swelling of the epididymis (sperm storage tubes)
• Can cause chronic testicular pain
• May affect fertility if left untreated

Reactive Arthritis

• Painful joint inflammation
• Can also affect eyes and urethra
• May become chronic

Untreated Gonorrhoea

Similar complications to chlamydia, plus:

Disseminated Gonococcal Infection (DGI)

• Bacteria spread through the bloodstream
• Causes fever, joint pain, and skin lesions
• Can affect the heart (endocarditis)
• Rare but serious

Antibiotic Resistance

• Delays in treatment allow resistant strains to develop
• Some gonorrhoea is becoming difficult to treat
• Early treatment with correct antibiotics is crucial

Untreated Syphilis

Syphilis progresses through stages if untreated:

Cardiovascular Syphilis

• Affects the heart and major blood vessels
• Can cause aortic aneurysm (weakening of the main artery)
• Heart valve damage
• Potentially fatal

Neurosyphilis

• Affects the brain and spinal cord
• Causes dementia, personality changes
• Difficulty with movement and coordination
• Blindness and deafness
• Can be devastating and irreversible

Gummatous Syphilis

• Rubbery growths (gummas) in skin, bones, and organs
• Can be disfiguring
• Damages affected organs

Timeline

• These serious complications develop 10-30 years after initial infection
• Early syphilis is easily cured with penicillin
• Late-stage damage cannot be reversed

Untreated HIV

Without treatment, HIV progresses to AIDS:

Immune System Destruction

• HIV slowly destroys CD4 cells (immune system cells)
• Takes 8-10 years on average without treatment
• Leaves the body vulnerable to infections and cancers

Opportunistic Infections

• Pneumocystis pneumonia
• Tuberculosis
• Toxoplasmosis
• Cryptococcal meningitis
• Severe fungal infections

AIDS-Related Cancers

• Kaposi's sarcoma
• Lymphomas
• Cervical cancer

The Good News

• Modern treatment (ART) is highly effective
• People on treatment live normal lifespans
• Early treatment preserves immune function
• Treatment prevents transmission (U=U: Undetectable = Untransmittable)

Untreated HPV

Most HPV infections clear naturally, but persistent high-risk HPV can cause:

Cervical Cancer

• HPV causes virtually all cervical cancer
• Takes years to develop from persistent infection
• Detected through cervical screening (smear tests)
• Highly preventable with vaccination and screening

Other Cancers

• Throat cancer (oropharyngeal)
• Anal cancer
• Vulval and vaginal cancer
• Penile cancer
• HPV-related throat cancer is increasing, particularly in men

Genital Warts

• Caused by low-risk HPV types
• Not dangerous but distressing
• Can recur even after treatment

Untreated Herpes

Herpes is lifelong, but complications are usually manageable:

Severe or Frequent Outbreaks

• Some people have debilitating recurrent outbreaks
• Can significantly impact quality of life
• Suppressive therapy can help

Neonatal Herpes

• If mother has active herpes during delivery
• Can cause serious illness in newborns
• Managed through careful obstetric care

Psychological Impact

• Anxiety and depression
• Relationship concerns
• Often worse than physical symptoms

Untreated Hepatitis B and C

Chronic Liver Disease

• Both can cause ongoing liver inflammation
• Leads to cirrhosis (scarring) over decades
• May cause liver failure

Liver Cancer

• Significant risk with chronic hepatitis B or C
• One of the more common cancers globally

The Good News

• Hepatitis B vaccination prevents infection
• Hepatitis C is now curable with modern treatments
• Early detection allows monitoring and treatment

Untreated Trichomoniasis

While often considered less serious:

Increased HIV Risk

• Having trichomoniasis increases susceptibility to HIV
• Also increases HIV transmission if co-infected

Pregnancy Complications

• Premature birth
• Low birth weight

Who Is at Greatest Risk of Complications?

Certain groups face higher risks:

Women

• More likely to have asymptomatic infections
• Complications often affect reproductive organs
• May only discover damage when trying to conceive

Young People

• Higher STI rates
• Biological factors increase susceptibility
• May not access testing regularly

Pregnant Women

• Infections can affect the baby
• Screening during pregnancy is routine for some STIs
• Treatment during pregnancy is important

Immunocompromised Individuals

• HIV-positive people
• Those on immunosuppressive medications
• May have more severe infections and complications

Prevention: How to Protect Yourself

Regular Testing

The single most important step:

• Catches infections before complications develop
• Enables treatment for you and partners
• Recommended annually if sexually active (more often if higher risk)

Early Treatment

Most STIs are easily treated when caught early:

• Chlamydia: Simple antibiotic course
• Gonorrhoea: Single injection
• Syphilis: Penicillin injection(s)
• HIV: Daily medication keeps virus suppressed

Consistent Protection

Prevent infection in the first place:

• Condoms significantly reduce transmission
• Vaccination (HPV, hepatitis B)
• PrEP for HIV prevention

Screening Programmes

Take advantage of available screening:

• Cervical screening for women (25-64)
• Chlamydia screening for under-25s
• Routine STI tests from sexual health clinics

The Bottom Line

The complications of untreated STIs are serious – infertility, cancer, chronic illness, and organ damage. But they're largely preventable.

Testing is quick, confidential, and often painless. Treatment is usually straightforward. The investment of a few minutes for a test could save you from years of health problems.

Get Tested Today

Don't let a silent infection cause lasting damage. Book your confidential STI test now.