Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that can be transferred from

one person to another through any type of sexual contact.

STDs are sometimes referred to as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) since t
hey involve the transmission of a disease-causing organism
from one person to another during sexual activity. It is important to realize th
at sexual contact includes more than just sexual intercourse (vaginal and anal).
Sexual contact includes kissing, oral-genital contact, and the use of sexual "to
ys," such as vibrators. STDs probably have been around for thousands of years,
but the most dangerous of these conditions, infection with the human immunodefic
iency virus (HIV), was only recognized in recent decades.
Sexually transmitted diseases, commonly called STDs, are infections that are spr
ead by having sex with someone who has a STD.
You can get a sexually transmitted disease from sexual activity that involves th
e mouth, anus, or vagina.
STDs are serious illnesses that require treatment, regardless of whether or not
you are pregnant.
But, when pregnant, STDs can be harmful to the mother and the baby.
Some STDs, like HIV/AIDS, cannot be cured and may be deadly.
health care provider will likely screen for some STDs at first prenatal visit,
Many STDs are treatable, but effective cures are lacking for others, such as HIV
, HPV, hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Even gonorrhea, once easily cured,
has become resistant to many of the older traditional antibiotics. M
any STDs can be present in, and spread by, people who do not have any symptoms o
f the condition and have not yet been diagnosed with an STD.
Therefore, public awareness and education about these infections and the methods
of preventing them is important.

Genital herpes, also commonly called "herpes," is a viral infection by the herpe
s simplex virus (HSV)
that is transmitted through intimate contact with the mucous-covered linings of
the mouth or the vagina or the genital skin.
The virus enters the linings or skin through microscopic tears. Once inside, the
virus travels to the nerve roots near the spinal cord and settles there permane
ntly.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus (a member of the retrovirus f
amily) that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS),
a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life
-threatening opportunistic infections.
Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ej
aculate, or breast milk. Within these bodily fluids,
HIV is present as both free virus particles and virus within infected immune cel
ls. The four major routes of transmission are unsafe sex,
contaminated needles, breast milk, and transmission from an infected mother to h
er baby at birth (vertical transmission). Screening of blood products for
HIV has largely eliminated transmission through blood transfusions or infected b
lood products in the developed world.
Genetal warts is a Transmitted Infection which is caused by a virus called Human
Papilloma Virus.
Genetal warts are extremely contagious and can be passed from one person to anot
her fairly easily.
Warts are benign tumors of the epidermis. Some people will have a genetal HPV in
fection without genetal warts.
The virus can create small dimples on genital areas, or on the cervix, in the an
al area and in some very odd cases, the mouth.
Genetal warts appear as small growths or bumps which can group together to form
a cluster. These clusters normally have a cauliflower-like appearance.
Warts can be found by themselves, and it is not uncommon to have a single wart i
n the genital region. Genitile warts are normally small, flesh-colored lumps,
often flat, tiny. Genital warts is not the same as genital herpies, although the
re are similarities between the two conditions.
Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) is a bacterium that causes an infection that i
s very similar to gonorrhea in the way that it is spread and the symptoms it pro
duces. It is common and affects approximately 4 million women annually. Like gon
orrhea, the chlamydia bacterium is found in the cervix and urethra and can live
in the throat or rectum. Both infected men and infected women frequently lack sy
mptoms of chlamydia infection. Thus, these individuals can unknowingly spread th
e infection to others. Another strain (type) of Chlamydia trachomatis, which can
be distinguished in specialized laboratories, causes the STD known as lymphogra
nuloma venereum
Syphilis: A sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum, a microsc
opic organism called a spirochete. This worm-like, spiral-shaped organism infect
s people by burrowing into the moist mucous membranes of the mouth or genitals.
From there, the spirochete produces a non-painful ulcer known as a chancre.
Gonorrhea: A sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisse
ria gonorrhoea. Although gonorrhea is known primarily as a sexually transmitted
infection (STI), it is not exclusively so, but can also be transmitted to the ne
wborn during the birthing process.
Trichomoniasis (pronounced trih-kuh-muh-nye-uh-sus), also called "trick," is a s
exually transmitted disease (STD). It is caused by a parasite that can be passed
from one person to another. The parasite is sexually transmitted through penis-
to-vagina intercourse or vulva-to-vulva contact with an infected partner. The vu
lva is the genital area outside the vagina. Women can get the disease from infec
ted men or women.
While trichomoniasis is usually passed sexually, it may be picked up from contac
t with damp or moist objects such as towels, wet clothing, or a toilet seat, if
the genital area gets in contact with these damp or moist objects.

What Are the Symptoms of STDs?

Sometimes, there are no symptoms of a STD. If symptoms are present, they may inc
lude:
Bumps, sores, or warts near the mouth, anus, penis, or vagina
Swelling or redness near the penis or vagina
Skin rash with or without pain
Painful urination
Weight loss, loose stool, night sweats
Aches, pains, fever, and chills
Yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
Discharge from the penis or vagina (vaginal discharge may have an odor)
Bleeding from the vagina other than during a monthly period
Painful sex
Severe itching near the penis or vagina

How Can STDs Affect My Pregnancy?

STDs in pregnancy can harm you and your developing baby depending on the type of
infection.
HIV/AIDS: Thanks to the creation of powerful medications, transmission of HIV in
fection to your infant is almost completely preventable. But, when the disease i
s passed on, the results are catastrophic -- the baby may develop HIV infection.
Herpes: Herpes infection in a pregnant woman is relatively safe until she gets r
eady to deliver. Active herpes lesions on the genitals are highly contagious and
can infect the infant as he or she is being born. Also, the virus may begin mul
tiplying and become infectious before any skin symptoms appear. Therefore, many
women with herpes have a cesarean section to prevent the transmission of herpes
to the newborn.
Gonorrhea: Gonorrhea is a very common STD, usually diagnosed by performing a tes
t on a swab of vaginal fluid. If contracted during pregnancy, the infection can
cause vaginal discharge, burning while emptying the bladder, or abdominal pain.
A pregnant woman with untreated gonorrhea has an increased risk of miscarriage o
r preterm delivery. A baby that is born while the mother has an active infection
can develop blindness, joint infection, or a life threatening blood infection.
HPV (Genital Warts): This is a very common STD. The genital warts often appear a
s small cauliflower-like clusters which may burn or itch. If you contract genita
l warts during pregnancy, treatment may be delayed until after you deliver. Some
times the hormones from pregnancy can make them grow larger. If they grow large
enough to block the birth canal, the baby may need to be delivered by a cesarean
section.
Chlamydia: Chlamydia may cause an increased risk of miscarriage and preterm deli
very. Newborns who are exposed can get severe eye infections and pneumonia.
Syphilis: Syphilis is most often diagnosed with a blood test, although a syphili
tic skin lesion can also be tested. Syphilis is easily passed on to your unborn
child. It is likely to cause a very serious infection to your baby that can be f
atal. The infants are often premature. Untreated infants that survive tend to de
velop problems in multiple organs including the brain, eyes, ears, heart, skin,
teeth, and bones.
Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. I
f a pregnant woman is infected with hepatitis B, she can transmit the infection
to her baby through the placenta. Also, her newborn can become infected. In addi
tion, women with hepatitis B are more likely to have a premature delivery. Lucki
ly, early screening and the more widespread use of the hepatitis B vaccine can p
revent infection.
Trichomoniasis: Trichomoniasis is an infection that can cause yellow-green vagin
al discharge and pain with sex or when emptying the bladder. It can increase the
risk of having a preterm baby. Rarely, the new baby can get the infection durin
g delivery and have a vaginal discharge after birth.
How Are STDs Treated During Pregnancy?
Treatment of a STD during pregnancy depends on how far the infection has progres
sed and how far along you are in your pregnancy. Many bacterial STDs like syphil
is, gonorrhea, and chlamydia are treated with antibiotics given as a shot or tak
en by mouth. Below are common treatments for STDs in pregnant women and newsborn
s.
HIV/AIDS: Although an incurable disease, you can prevent transmitting the virus
to your baby by taking a multitude of medication.
Herpes: Your doctor can prescribe antiviral pills to treat these lesions. Women
with active herpes lesions at delivery will likely have a cesarean section to pr
event transmitting the infection to the baby.
Gonorrhea: Pregnant women with the infection can be treated with antibiotics. Be
cause gonorrhea is often without symptoms, all newborn babies are given medicati
ons in their eyes at birth to prevent development of the gonorrhea eye infection
.
HPV (Genital Warts): If you contract genital warts during pregnancy, treatment m
ay be delayed until after you deliver.
Chlamydia: Mothers with chlamydia are treated with antibiotics. The drug used on
all newborns to prevent a gonorrhea eye infection also prevents chlamydia from
infecting the eye, but it can't prevent the pneumonia that may develop later.
Syphilis: Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics during your pregnancy to decrea
se risk of transmitting the infection to your baby and stop the syphilis from pr
ogressing in you.
Hepatitis B: If you have hepatitis B, your doctor will give your newborn an inje
ction of antibodies to prevent him or her from becoming infected.
Trichomoniasis: Pregnant women can be treated with medication to cure the infect
ion.
If you are given an antibiotic to treat a STD, it's important that you take all
of your medicine, even if the symptoms go away. Also never take someone else's m
edicine to treat your illness. By doing so, you may make it more difficult to tr
eat the infection. Likewise, you should not share your medicine with others.

source: WebMD Medical Reference

SOURCES:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The March of Dimes.
Reviewed by Mikio A. Nihira, MD on December 20, 2009
© 2010 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
http://www.medicinenet.com/