- 7 major STDs in pregnancy
- 1. Syphilis
- 2. AIDS
- 3. Gonorrhea
- 4. Chlamydia
- 5. Herpes
- 6. Soft cancer
- 7. Donovanosis
Sexually transmitted diseases, known by the acronym STD, can appear before or during pregnancy and harm the health of the mother and baby, causing complications such as premature birth, abortion, low birth weight and developmental delay.
Symptoms vary according to the type of infection presented, but sores on the genital and itchy region usually appear. Treatment should be done according to the cause of the disease, but antibiotic and antiviral drugs are usually used, under the direction of the obstetrician.
7 major STDs in pregnancy
The 7 main STDs that can interfere with pregnancy are:
1. Syphilis
Syphilis present during pregnancy should be treated as soon as it is identified, as there is a risk that the disease will cross the placenta and pass to the baby or cause complications such as miscarriage, low birth weight, deafness and blindness.
Its symptoms are the appearance of red sores on the genitals, which disappear after a few weeks and reappear on the palms and soles of the feet. The diagnosis of the disease is made through a blood test, and its treatment is done with the use of antibiotics. Understand how syphilis treatment and complications are performed.
2. AIDS
AIDS is a sexually transmitted disease that can be passed on to the baby during pregnancy, at delivery or while breastfeeding, especially if the mother does not receive adequate treatment during pregnancy.
Its diagnosis is made during the exams of the first prenatal and, in positive cases, the treatment is done with drugs that reduce the reproduction of the virus in the body, such as AZT. See how the delivery should be and how to know if the baby has been infected.
3. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea can cause pregnancy complications such as premature birth, delayed fetal development, inflammation of the baby's lungs, bronchi or ear after delivery.
In most cases, this disease does not cause symptoms and is therefore often found only during prenatal care. However, some women may experience symptoms such as pain when urinating or in the lower abdomen and increased vaginal discharge, and their treatment is done with antibiotics. See more details of the treatment here.
4. Chlamydia
Chlamydia infection is also related to complications such as premature birth, conjunctivitis and newborn pneumonia, causing pain when urinating, vaginal discharge with pus and pain in the lower abdomen.
It must be investigated during prenatal examinations and its treatment is also done with the use of antibiotics. See the possible complications of this disease here.
5. Herpes
During pregnancy, herpes increases the risk of miscarriage, microcephaly, delayed growth of the fetus and contamination of the baby by congenital herpes, especially during delivery.
In this disease, sores appear in the genital region that are accompanied by burning, tingling, itching and pain, and can progress to small ulcers. Treatment is done with drugs that fight the virus, but herpes has no permanent cure. See more about treatment here.
6. Soft cancer
Soft cancer is characterized by the appearance of several painful wounds in the genital region and in the anus, and there may also be the appearance of only a deeper, sensitive and smelly ulcer.
The diagnosis is made by scraping the wound, and the treatment uses injections or antibiotic pills. See the difference between soft cancer and syphilis here.
7. Donovanosis
Donovanosis is also known as venereal granuloma or inguinal granuloma, and causes the appearance of ulcers or nodules in the genital and anal region that normally do not cause pain, but that worsen during pregnancy.
In most cases, it does not harm the fetus, but must be treated with antibiotics to prevent it from spreading to other regions of the body. See the remedies used here.
The prevention of the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases to the fetus during pregnancy and delivery depends mainly on doing prenatal care properly and following medical consultations.
In addition, it is important to be aware of any changes in the genital region, and seek medical help as soon as you identify wounds, excessive vaginal discharge or itching in the genital region.
