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STDs & Sexual Health

What STIs (formerly STDs) Are Not Curable?

Faith Coleman

Medically reviewed by Faith Coleman, University of New Mexico School of Medicine on August 23rd, 2026.

Several sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are not curable, though they can be effectively managed. Viral STIs such as herpes (HSV‑1 and HSV‑2), HIV, chronic hepatitis B, and persistent HPV cannot be eradicated because these viruses remain within host cells. For example, genital herpes affects about 1 in 6 Americans aged 14–49. Antiviral medications can suppress symptoms and reduce transmission risk, but the virus stays in the body lifelong. HIV treatment can reduce viral levels to undetectable, making sexual transmission essentially impossible. HPV often clears on its own, but persistent infections require ongoing monitoring to prevent cervical and other cancers.

The term sexually transmitted disease (STD) has been replaced by the term sexually transmitted infection (STI).

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