Fatal STDs: Which STDs Can Kill You?

Uncertainty about your own health and wellness is one of the worst feelings anyone can experience. And unfortunately, STDs are often at the center of that uncertainty. Indeed, unlike other diseases, STDs tend to be shrouded in mystery and the dangers of STDs are often misrepresented. This is particularly bad news for individuals who mistake certain STDs as innocuous; even if an STD is curable or treatable, it does not mean you should ignore it. There are more fatal STDs than most people realize. To clear up confusion around this subject, we’ll answer a morbid (but important) question: which STDs can kill you?

HIV

It’s no surprise that HIV is deadly. Given the amount of ink devoted to the perils of HIV and AIDS, it’s common knowledge that HIV is an extremely harmful disease. The good news is, the sooner you seek treatment, the better your chances are of mitigating the effects of HIV.

Syphilis

Syphilis falls firmly in the camp of the kind of STD that is only dangerous to adults when left untreated for a substantial period of time. Though, if it is left untreated, it can lead to a veritable cavalcade of problems from internal organ failure, to blindness, paralysis, and yes, death.

Hepatitis

Since all forms of hepatitis affect the liver, it naturally can be a life-threatening disease. Hepatitis A, B, and C can all be spread through sexual contact, and all can –– under the worst of circumstances –– lead to liver failure and death.

Other Problematic STDs

Not every STD is life-threatening; though all STDs pose the possibility of further complication if they aren’t dealt with properly. For instance, neither chlamydia nor gonorrhea are deadly diseases per se, but each can cause a number of fertility issues, along with pelvic inflammatory disease, and/or scarring of the urethra. Consider also herpes: a viral disease that on its own won’t cause many long-term health issues, but can increase the likelihood of future HIV contraction.

STDs, Pregnancy, and Children

Thanks to advancements in modern science, mortality rates for STDs across the board are generally lower now than in the past. Even diseases like HIV can now be more effectively managed than they were some 20 to 30 years ago. It is important to note though, that STDs passed to fetuses in the womb or newborns from their mothers can prove much more dangerous and deadly. Sadly, congenital syphilis was the cause of thirty stillbirths in California alone last year. What’s more, sexually active people who are older than seventy should also be more cognizant of the threat STDs carry.

 

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