This article will explore the different types of incurable STDs, their causes, symptoms, and available treatments. We will also discuss the importance of safe sex practices and regular testing to prevent the spread of these infections. Understanding the risks and consequences of incurable STDs is crucial for individuals to protect themselves and their partners and maintain good sexual health.

 

What are STDs?

 

STDs are infections that can spread through sexual contact with an infected person. This includes vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Other modes of transmission of STDs are through sharing needles, during childbirth, or through blood transfusions.

 

There are many types of STDs due to viruses, bacteria, or parasites. The most common STDs include: 

  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
  • Syphilis
  • Herpes
  • human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • HIV.
  • Trichomoniasis
  • Hepatitis B

 

The uncommon STDs are:

 

Many STDs do not cause any symptoms, making it easy for them to go unnoticed and continue to spread. However, if left untreated, STDs can lead to serious health problems, such as infertility, chronic pain, and an increased risk of certain cancers.

 

Incurable STDs 

 

Incurable STDs are due to viruses that, once they enter the body, you cannot eliminate them. These viruses can remain dormant in the body for years and cause symptoms to flare up periodically.

Author credit: By Erik Hans Krause, born 1899, artist. For WPA Federal Art Project - Works Progress Administration poster via Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA, [1], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51114

 

The most common incurable STDs include:

 

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 

 

HIV is one of the incurable STDs caused by a virus that attacks the immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight off infections and diseases. 

 

The transmission mode of HIV is through contact with infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk. This can occur during unprotected sex, sharing needles, or from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth or breastfeeding.

 

HIV can be present in the body for many years without causing symptoms. However, without proper treatment, HIV can progress to AIDS, a condition in which the immune system is severely damaged, and the body is vulnerable to life-threatening infections and cancers.

 

Symptoms

 

Many people with HIV do not experience symptoms in the early stages of infection, which is why HIV is often called a "silent" infection. However, some people may experience flu-like symptoms within a few weeks of infection, including:

 

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Rash
  • Sore throat
  • Swollen lymph nodes

 

These symptoms may last for a few weeks and then disappear, but this does not mean the virus has been cured. After the initial symptoms disappear, HIV can remain in the body for many years without causing any noticeable symptoms.

 

As HIV progresses to AIDS, the immune system becomes severely damaged, making it difficult for the body to fight infections and diseases. Symptoms of AIDS can include:

 

  • Rapid weight loss
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
  • Swelling of the lymph glands 
  • Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
  • Sores or white spots in the mouth, nose, or throat
  • Pneumonia
  • Red or brown, pink scars on the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
  • Memory loss, depression, and other neurologic disorders

 

Treatment

 

While there is currently no cure for HIV, antiretroviral therapy can help people living with HIV manage the virus and maintain good health. ART involves taking a combination of medications that target different stages of the virus's life cycle to suppress and prevent it from progressing to AIDS. When taken consistently and as prescribed, ART can also reduce the risk of HIV transmission to sexual partners.

 

Prevention

 

Preventing HIV transmission is important. Using condoms or other barrier methods during sex, getting tested regularly for HIV and other STDs and avoiding sharing needles effectively reduce the risk of HIV infection. 

 

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily medication for people at high risk of HIV, can help prevent HIV transmission when used consistently and as prescribed.

 

Herpes

 

Herpes is an incurable STD caused by the herpes simplex virus that can cause outbreaks of painful blisters or sores on or around the mouth (oral herpes) or genital area (genital herpes). HSV is highly contagious, and you can transmit it through direct contact with an infected person's skin, mucous membranes, or bodily fluids.

 

Once you get an HSV infection, the virus can remain in the body for life, with the potential to cause recurring outbreaks of symptoms. While some people may experience frequent outbreaks, others may have only one or two outbreaks in their lifetime.

 

There are two types of herpes, genital and oral herpes. Genital herpes is primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2, mainly occurring in the genitals. However, herpes simplex type 1 can also cause it through oral sex and develop in the mouth and throat.

 

Symptoms of genital herpes can include:

 

  • Small, painful blisters or sores on or around the genitals, anus, or thighs
  • Pain or itching around the affected area
  • Flu-like symptoms such as fever 
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Pain or discomfort during urination
  • Backaches
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue

 

Oral herpes is primarily due to HSV-1 and occurs in the mouth, but HSV-2 can also cause it. Symptoms of oral herpes can include:

 

  • Cold sores or fever blisters on or around the mouth or lips
  • Pain or tingling around the affected area
  • Sore throat
  • Difficulty wallowing
  • Flu-like symptoms, such as fever and headache
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
  • Mouth ulcers

 

Treatment

 

Herpes is incurable, but there are medications available that can help manage the symptoms and reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks. These medications include antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir, which work by inhibiting the replication of the virus in the body.

 

You can take antiviral medications daily to reduce the frequency of outbreaks or during outbreaks to help alleviate symptoms and speed up healing. 

 

Prevention

 

Preventing herpes involves reducing the risk of exposure to the herpes simplex virus. Here are some strategies that can help prevent the spread of herpes:

 

  1. Use barrier methods during sexual activity: Condoms and other barrier methods can help prevent the spread of herpes during sexual activity. However, they are not 100% effective, as you can still spread the virus through skin-to-skin contact with uncovered areas.
  2. Avoid sexual contact during outbreaks: Herpes is most contagious when symptoms are present, so it's important to avoid sexual contact during outbreaks or when symptoms are present.
  3. Practice good hand hygiene: Herpes spreads through contact with the affected area, so it's important to practice good hand hygiene, especially after touching the affected area.
  4. Do not share personal items: Herpes spreads through contact with personal items, such as towels, razors, or utensils, so it's important not to share these items with others.
  5. Get tested: If you or your partner have a history of herpes or are experiencing symptoms, it's important to get tested for the virus. Knowing your status can help you take steps to prevent the spread of the virus.

 

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

 

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the incurable STDs that can cause a range of health problems, including genital warts and certain types of cancer. 

For some people, HPV can cause a persistent infection that can lead to cancer development over time. The types of cancer it can cause include cervical cancer, anal cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer. 

 

It's important to note that most people who have HPV do not develop cancer, and there are steps they can take to reduce the risk of developing HPV-related cancers.

 

Symptoms

 

Most people infected with HPV do not develop any symptoms, and the virus goes away on its own without causing any health problems. However, some types of HPV can cause small genital warts, raised bumps, or groups of bumps that can appear on the genital area and the cervix, anus, or throat.

 

In some cases, persistent infection with high-risk types of HPV can cause abnormal cell changes in the cervix, anus, or throat, eventually developing into cancer if left untreated. 

However, these changes usually do not cause any symptoms; the only way to detect them is through regular screening tests.

 

Oropharyngeal cancer caused by HPV can cause symptoms such as persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing, ear pain, and hoarseness, but other conditions can also cause these symptoms.

 

Treatment

 

There is no cure for HPV, but treatments are available to manage the symptoms of the infection and reduce the risk of developing HPV-related health problems, such as genital warts and cancer.

Treatment for genital warts may include topical medications, such as imiquimod, podofilox, and sinecatechins, applied directly to warts or procedures such as cryotherapy, electrocautery, or surgical removal to remove warts.

 

Treatment for abnormal cell changes in the cervix, anus, or throat caused by high-risk types of HPV may include procedures such as colposcopy, which involves examining the cervix with a special microscope, and biopsy, which involves taking a small sample of tissue for testing.

Vaccines are available that can protect against certain types of HPV that are most commonly associated with cancer. 

 

Regular cervical cancer screening can also help detect any abnormal cell changes HPV may cause before they develop into cancer. 

 

Prevention

 

There are several ways to reduce the risk of getting human papillomavirus (HPV) and other sexually transmitted infections:

 

  1. Get vaccinated: The HPV vaccine is available for people between the ages of 11 and 12 and can be given up to age 26 for females and age 21 for males who have not yet been vaccinated. The vaccine can protect against certain types of HPV most commonly associated with cancer.
  2. Practice safe sex: Using condoms consistently and correctly during vaginal, anal, and oral sex can reduce the risk of getting HPV and other sexually transmitted infections.
  3. Limit sexual partners: Having fewer sexual partners can also help reduce the risk of getting HPV and other sexually transmitted infections.
  4. Get regular screenings: Cervical cancer screening, which involves a Pap test or an HPV test, is recommended for women starting at age 21, or earlier if they are sexually active. Anal cancer screening may also be recommended for certain high-risk populations, such as men who have sex with men.

 

Hepatitis B and C

 

Hepatitis B and C are viral infections transmissible through sexual contact and other means, such as sharing needles and other injection equipment. They are incurable, but treatments are available to manage the symptoms and reduce the risk of liver damage and other complications.

 

Symptoms of hepatitis B and C 

 

Some people with hepatitis B and C may not experience symptoms, while others may have mild to severe symptoms lasting for several weeks. The symptoms of hepatitis B and C can vary but may include the following:

 

  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Jaundice 
  • Dark urine
  • Clay-colored stools
  • Joint pain

 

Even without any hepatitis B and C symptoms, you can still transmit the virus to others. It's important to get tested for these infections if you are at increased risk of infection, such as through unprotected sex with multiple partners, sharing needles or other injection equipment, or being born to a mother with hepatitis B.

 

Treatment of hepatitis B and C 

 

The treatment for hepatitis B and C depends on several factors, including the infection's severity, the disease's stage, and the person's overall health. Treatment may include antiviral medications, which can help slow or stop the virus from multiplying in the body and prevent liver damage.

 

For hepatitis B, treatment may also involve interferon injections, which can help boost the immune system's response to the virus. In some cases, people with chronic hepatitis B may need to take antiviral medications for the rest of their lives to keep the virus under control and prevent liver damage.

 

Author credit: By Unknown author or not provided - U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17202264

 

For hepatitis C, treatment typically involves a combination of antiviral medications, such as interferon and ribavirin, or newer medications called direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). DAAs are highly effective at treating hepatitis C and can cure the infection in as little as 8-12 weeks, depending on the specific medication used and the person's circumstances.

 

In addition to medication, people with hepatitis B and C need to take care of their liver health by avoiding alcohol and certain medications that can harm the liver. Eating a healthy diet, regular exercise, and avoiding behaviors that can lead to reinfection, such as sharing needles or having unprotected sex, can also help manage the infection and prevent complications.

 

Chronic hepatitis B and C infections can cause ongoing liver damage, eventually leading to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. 

 

Prevention of hepatitis B and C

 

Prevention of hepatitis B and C includes getting vaccinated for hepatitis B, using condoms during sexual activity, and avoiding sharing needles and other injection equipment. If you suspect, you may have been exposed to hepatitis B or C or are experiencing symptoms, seeing a healthcare provider for testing and treatment is essential.

 

Molluscum contagiosum

 

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection transmissible through sexual contact. 

While molluscum contagiosum is not usually considered a serious health condition, it is one of the incurable STDs because there is currently no cure for the virus that causes the infection. 

 

Symptoms

 

The primary symptom of molluscum contagiosum is the appearance of small, raised, and round bumps on the skin. These bumps are typically flesh-colored, pink, or white and have a waxy, smooth surface. They are usually painless but may be itchy or tender to the touch.

 

The bumps can appear anywhere on the body, but they are most common in the genital area, thighs, lower abdomen, and buttocks. In children, they may also appear on the face, arms, and hands.

 

In people with a weakened immune system, such as those with HIV or undergoing chemotherapy, the bumps may be larger and more numerous and can spread to other parts of the body.

 

Molluscum contagiosum is a highly contagious infection, and the bumps can easily spread to other areas of the body through scratching or picking at them. You can also spread molluscum contagiosum through skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact.

 

Treatment

 

Treatment for molluscum contagiosum may include topical medications, such as imiquimod cream, which can help boost the immune system's response to the virus and clear the infection. Cryotherapy, or freezing the bumps with liquid nitrogen, may also effectively remove the lesions.

 

Other treatment options include curettage, which involves scraping off the bumps with a small, sharp instrument, and laser therapy, which uses a focused beam of light to destroy the bumps.

 

Prevention

 

There are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting the infection or spreading it to others:

 

  1. Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently, and avoid sharing personal items such as towels, razors, and clothing.
  2. Avoid sexual contact with someone with molluscum contagiosum or use barrier methods such as condoms to reduce the risk of transmission.
  3. Cover the bumps: If you have molluscum contagiosum, cover them with clothing or bandages to prevent them from coming into contact with other people.
  4. Avoid scratching or picking at the bumps: This can spread the virus to other parts of your body or other people.
  5. Keep the affected area clean and dry: This can help prevent the virus from spreading to other parts of your body or other people.

 

Conclusion

 

Incurable sexually transmitted diseases are a severe health concern as they cannot be completely cured, although treatment can help manage the symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. HIV, herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis B and C are some of the most common incurable STDs.

 

Early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and taking preventive measures can help reduce the risk of transmission and minimize the impact of these infections. Prevention is also critical, and individuals can protect themselves from these infections by practicing safe sex, getting vaccinated, and maintaining good hygiene.

Contributor: admin