Adults with incurable STDs may have to fall back on specialized websites to find dates

Contracting HIV or herpes can have many lifelong consequences, not the least of which may be difficulty in initiating a relationship. Many people with incurable sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) find themselves enrolling in online dating services tailored to those with chronic infections, the New Haven Advocate reports.

Among many websites catering to those with STDs, the news source mentions MatchSTD.com, HerpesPassions.com, PositiveSingles.com and HIVPoz.net, the latter two being specifically for adults with HIV.

Other websites exist for individuals with curable diseases like gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia. Health authorities often praise these sites, which encourage openness about sexual infections and awareness of the ability to prevent their spread.

CNN News has reported a sharp rise in the number of these websites over the previous decade.

The New Haven news source concluded that such dating services may improve public health while allowing those with incurable diseases to find love.

However, using such a site rests on a knowledge of one's condition. For those who believe that they have contracted an STD, online testing services may provide valuable insight into their sexual health.

Approximately one in six Americans between the ages of 14 and 49 has genital herpes, while more than 1 million people in the U.S. have HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.