Sexually transmitted diseases can be divided into two general categories, those that can be cured and those that currently cannot. Syphilis, chancroid, gonorrhea, chlamydial infection, and trichomoniasis are the most common curable sexually transmitted diseases according to World Health Organization.

In this article, we’ll be discussing some sexually transmitted diseases that are not curable, and how you can protect yourself against them. Note that all findings in this article are gotten from a reputable health site Cleveland Clinic.

2 Sexually transmitted diseases that are not curable

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is one of the leading causes of liver cancer. Babies usually receive a vaccine against this infection at birth, but many adults born before 1991 may not have received the vaccine.

Most cases of hepatitis B don’t cause symptoms and most adults can fight the infection on their own. If you have hepatitis B, your best option is to speak to your doctor about checking your liver and your medication options to lessen symptoms. Immune system modulators and antiviral medications can help slow the virus’s damage to your liver.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is also called genital warts, although only a few of the 40-ish strains actually cause warts. Some of the other strains are potentially cancer-causing, and the rest kind of just hitch a ride in your body. Depending on how old you are, you may have already gotten the vaccine against HPV — this only covers you against the highest risk strains for cancer and warts. So regardless, chances are at some point in your life, you’ll get HPV in your body. There are some things you can do to manage your symptoms. These include some medical procedures like freezing off the warts, changing what you eat, taking herbs, and minimizing your stress. But nope, there’s no medical cure.

Tips for protecting yourself against STDs that cannot be cured

Preventing STDs starts with practicing safe intercourse. This means properly and consistently using a condom, dental dam, or another form of protection every time you have intercourse.

Along with practicing safe intercourse, routine screening for STDs is also important, especially if you have multiple partners and aren’t in a mutually monogamous relationship.