Incurable STDs
Important Information About Incurable STDs
Incurable STDs are sexually transmitted diseases that individuals become infected with and have to live with for the rest of their lives. These are primarily transmitted from one infected person to another through various types of sexual behavior. However, there are some diseases that can be transferred from an infected person to a clean person through IV drug needles, childbirth or breastfeeding.
HIV/AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome is top on the list of incurable STDs. It progressively reduces the individual's immune system, leaving them susceptible to tumors and opportunistic infections. HIV is transmitted by way of body fluids that contain the virus through semen, blood, vaginal fluids, breast milk and preseminal fluid. Although treatment can slow down the progression of the disease, no vaccination cure is currently available.
Individuals with HIV/AIDS often end up with various types of cancer and many infections caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. Other illnesses that are resulted from a weakened immune system are pulmonary infections such as pneumonia, esophagitis, chronic diarrhea, toxoplasmosis, AIDS dementia complex and blindness.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is just one of the Hepatitis viral infections. Transmission includes sexual intercourse, blood transfusion, breastfeeding and tattoos. Blood contact can even occur not only through intravenous drug use but by touching someone's infected wound or by sharing a razor. A vaccine is available to prevent Hepatitis B but there is currently no cure. Worldwide, this disease kills over one million people every single year.
Herpes Simplex Virus
This is one of the most common incurable STDs because it is one of the easiest to spread by direct contact with body fluid from an infected individual. Oral herpes is visible through ulcers or sores but genital herpes are a bit harder to diagnose without laboratory tests.
Once infected with the herpes simplex virus, you have it for life. Individuals may go through periods without outbreaks however, they still remain contagious and pose a danger to others. This infection can cause a few medical disorders including Alzheimer's disease, bipolar disorder and Bell's palsy, which is a disease that causes facial paralysis.
Treatable But Dangerous STDs
There are some diseases that if treated early enough can be prevented from becoming incurable STDs. The key is to seek medical attention at the first sign of any symptoms to get started on a treatment regimen right away.
- Syphilis – This is almost always spread through sexual contact or at birth from an infected mother to her newborn. It can be treated in early stages with antibiotics but if left to progress, the disease can damage the brain, heart, aorta, bones and eyes. There are various levels of this disease including primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, latent syphilis, tertiary syphilis, neurosyphilis and meningovascular syphilis.
- Chlamydia – This s very infectious, causing genital and eye disease. It is the most popular sexually transmitted disease in the world. In the United States alone, it is estimated that one million individuals have Chlamydia. If left untreated it can cause reproductive issues, eye disease, rheumatological conditions, genital ulcerations and infections in the lymph nodes.
- Gonorrhea – This is the second most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. While men generally show symptoms within 30 days, over half of infected women have none. This disease, if left untreated in women can spread to the fallopian tubes, uterus and ovaries. It can also cause septic arthritis in both men and women as well as blurred vision. While there are medications available, there are also existing drug-resistant strands that some people are infected with. This particular form of gonorrhea would be moved to the list of incurable STDs.