Left untreated, syphilis can kill, and gonorrhea can cause infertility. Non-viral STDs, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, can be cured.
Deaths from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) often occur long after acute infection, making their incidence difficult to estimate. Some infections, such as syphilis, may directly result in death. By contrast, human papilloma virus (HPV), HIV, and hepatitis more commonly cause death because of secondary sequelae.
Some curable STDs can be dangerous if they aren't treated. For example, if left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea can make it difficult—or even impossible—for a woman to get pregnant. You also increase your chances of getting HIV if you have an untreated STD. Some STDs, like HIV, can be fatal if left untreated.
Tertiary Stage
Tertiary syphilis is very serious and would occur 10–30 years after your infection began. In tertiary syphilis, the disease damages your internal organs and can result in death.
Of these, 4 are currently curable: syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. The other 4 are incurable viral infections: hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus (HSV), HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV).
Gonorrhea has progressively developed resistance to the antibiotic drugs prescribed to treat it. Following the spread of gonococcal fluoroquinolone resistance, the cephalosporin antibiotics have been the foundation of recommended treatment for gonorrhea.
Increased risk of organ damage, disease, and cancer
Untreated STDs can grow unchecked for years in your body and cause potentially serious or deadly diseases to develop. For example, someone with HPV can get cervical or anal cancer, while syphilis can cause blindness, dementia, and heart or kidney damage.
What is neurosyphilis? Neurosyphilis is an infection that affects the coverings of the brain, the brain itself, or the spinal cord. It can occur in people with syphilis, especially if their condition is left untreated.
HIV (10+ years)
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the most well-known examples of an STD that can lie dormant.
The most dangerous viral STD is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which leads to AIDS. Other incurable viral STDs include human papilloma virus (HPV), hepatitis B and genital herpes.
an unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or anus. pain when peeing. lumps or skin growths around the genitals or bottom (anus) a rash.
If gonorrhea is untreated, it can spread further into the reproductive system and in women may cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which can lead to chronic pelvic pain, miscarriages, premature labour and infertility.
Secondary-stage syphilis can cause fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that has been around for centuries, but cases are increasing: In 2020, there were more than 130,000 new cases in the United States. After syphilis is contracted, it goes through four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary.
What is late-stage chlamydia? Late-stage chlamydia refers to an infection that has spread to other parts of the body. For example, it may have spread to the cervix (cervicitis), testicular tubes (epididymitis), eyes (conjunctivitis), or throat (pharyngitis), causing inflammation and pain.
One manifestation of late-stage syphilis, called general paresis, doesn't show up until a decade or more after the initial infection. This form of the disease causes dementia, which can sometimes include dramatic personality changes, hallucinations, and manic delusions.
Patients with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) suffer not only with the physical problems but also with various psychological problems.
Still, tests for other diseases such as herpes and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) take longer to become conclusive. If you had an encounter that likely resulted in an infection, for most STIs, six months is a pretty conclusive follow-up period to be tested.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as they are also referred to, often have no symptoms. However, if left untreated there can be serious consequences including blindness and other neurologic manifestations, infertility, mother-to-child transmission or birth defects.
Symptoms can develop within a few days or weeks, but sometimes they do not appear until months or even years later. Often there are few or no symptoms and you may not know you have an STI. If there's any chance you have an STI, go to a sexual health clinic or GP for a free and confidential check-up.
In a male, chlamydia can develop in the urethra, rectum, or throat. Some call chlamydia a “silent” infection because people are often unaware that they have it. The majority of these infections in males cause no symptoms.