STD infections while pregnancy

In some cases, women can contract the sexually transmitted infections during their pregnancy period.  Those diseases do affect not only the mother but also the unborn child. The STDs can lead to significant complications in women’s pregnancy according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  The seriousness of these effects is seen in the nature that it becomes hard to treat them once the unborn child id infected with the virus causing them. Here are some the Effects of STDs with related infections

Top five sexually transmitted diseases that affect mothers and babies

The high common STDs that can have an adverse impact on both the mother and the baby are:

      1.    HIV/AIDS

The human immunodeficiency virus is responsible for weakening the immune system of the affected person making them susceptible. It also hinders them a quick recovery from infections.  According to the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, a total of 540,000 cases of HIV infections are reported every year.  Women take a one-fourth of those reported cases annually.  Unborn babies can be infected with HIV and have similar symptoms, which are hard to fight. In most cases, such leads to death.

     2.    Gonorrhea

The common STD leads to mothers experiencing difficulties when urinating due to pain. They also experience vaginal discharge as well as fever.  When gonorrhea is left untreated, it leads to miscarriage.  In some cases, mothers can give birth when till infected. The born child is likely to suffer from an eye infection which can lead to blindness.

      3.    Syphilis

Syphilis can cause vagina, anus, cervix and rectum cancer. In some severe cases, it can even reach the breast and the nipples.  With this kind of STD, organ damage is likely to happen.  Mothers who are infected with syphilis give birth to premature babies.  These babies have higher chances of getting body problems.

       4.    Hepatitis B and C

These are liver infections that have no cure.  The affected persons are often fatigued; get jaundice and flu-like symptoms.  Unborn Babies can also be infected with these two diseases.  However, the contrast between the two viruses exists. The HBV has a vaccine that protects children from an infection.

       5.    Genital herpes

Lesions and sores around the vagina and cervix are the main symptoms of genital herpes.  The diseases caused by the virus can only be passed on the babies during birth. When the infection is severe, the child can contract the virus leading to infections on the skin, eyes and the central nervous system. Such may result in the demise of the born child.  If a mother is infected with genital herpes, the best delivery method is through C-section to protect the baby from getting infected.

How to avoid contracting the five STDs

As you are now aware of the Effects of STDs, pregnant women are advised on the use of condoms during intercourse as well as sticking to their partners and having regular STD Testing or checkups. It is a way of protecting them as well as their unborn babies. 

Contributor: admin