Viral STDs can be transmitted through sexual and non-sexual routes. While treatable, viral STDs are not curable, and therefore they can recur or they can progress. Fungal and parasitic agents, including trichomoniasis, can also be transmitted sexually. After being infected with most STDs, people may remain asymptomatic, or free of symptoms, for extended periods ranging from days to several months. During this period, however, people can transmit the infection to others.
Symptoms related to bacterial or viral STDs often dissipate and recur.
Because of long periods in which an infection may not produce symptoms, public health and medical experts recommend that people at risk for STDs seek an STD risk assessment, a physical examination based on syptoms, and laboratory tests to detect infections that may be asymptomatic. Relationship between HIV and Other STDs HIV and other STDs are related in several ways. They are transmitted through similar routes and they respond to similar prevention messages. Ulcerations, which are caused by syphilis and genital herpes, have been related to increased susceptibility for HIV transmission. Increased risk of HIV transmission can also be attributed to non-ulcerative STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniases, which weaken the body's defenses against disease.