5. HIV and AIDS
Emotional or psychological strain doesn’t cause HIV (the virus that can lead to AIDS, which is transmitted via intercourse or passed when needles are shared). However, there’s some evidence that stress can aggravate the severity of the disease.
According to a study conducted on 96 HIV-positive patients, mental tension increased the risk of HIV becoming AIDS by 50% and more than doubled the risk of dealing with an AIDS-related clinical condition.
Moreover, a 2016 review showed that while the connection between stress and clinical outcomes is mixed, chronic emotional and psychological strain was associated with a higher viral load, lower disease-fighting white blood cell counts, and disease worsening. Studies also concluded that stress can lead to worse treatment adherence.
