Best Chance, STIs

*Sexually Transmitted Infections that Cannot be Cured*
Infection	Risks/Complications	Method of Transfer	Treatment/Comments
Herpes Diagnosed by culture of lesion or vaginal secretions.	Mom: Can have blisters/sores in genital area only once or she may have outbreaks every once in a while. She may not know she is carrying the virus. Avoid intercourse if a lesion is present. Avoid oral sex if your partner has a cold sore. Using condoms during sex helps, but it is not a guarantee that you won’t get herpes. Baby: Has poor energy, fever, poor weight gain, infection of skin, eyes, mouth. There can be severe brain injury or death.	Can transfer during birth.	Mom: No cure. Antiviral drugs are used to treat outbreaks. If herpes sore is in genital area at time of labour, a caesarean birth is recommended. This is to prevent transfer to the baby. Baby: Antiviral drugs can be given if baby develops neonatal herpes.
Hepatitis B Diagnosed by blood test. (Also spread by contact with infected blood.)	Mom: Carrier for life. Risk for liver disease and liver cancer later in life. Baby: Without treatment, will become a carrier for life.	Can transfer during birth.	Mom: If exposed during pregnancy, early treatment with Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and Hep B vaccine can prevent disease. Baby: HBIG and Hep B vaccine at birth if mother (or other caretaker) is a carrier and follow-up vaccinations can prevent disease.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Diagnosed by blood test.	Mom: HIV can develop into AIDS. Adults with AIDS have a shortened lifespan.	Can cross placenta during pregnancy and can transfer to baby during birth. Is also possible to transfer through breastfeeding.	Mom: No cure. Treatment with antiviral drugs during pregnancy and during labour to reduce risk of passing virus to baby. Baby: Antiviral medication given for six weeks after birth.

*Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections that Can be Cured*
Infection	Risks/Complications	Method of Transfer	Treatment/Comments
Chlamydia Diagnosed by a culture of vaginal discharge.	Mom: May have pain when peeing, vaginal discharge, or no symptoms. Increased risk of preterm labour, premature rupture of membranes. Baby: Pneumonia, eye infections.	Can transfer in the birth canal during birth.	Mom: Antibiotics. Baby: Antibiotics; routine eye treatment with antibiotic ointment soon after birth prevents infection in baby’s eyes.
Gonorrhea Diagnosed by a culture of vaginal discharge.	Mom: May have lower abdominal pain, vaginal discharge, pain when peeing, or no symptoms. Baby:Eye infections and health problems, if mother not treated during pregnancy.	Can transfer through birth canal into uterus and to baby, during pregnancy or during birth.	Mom: Antibiotics. Baby: Antibiotics placed in the eyes of newborns shortly after birth.
Bacterial Vaginosis Diagnosed by culture of vaginal secretions.	Mom: May have vaginal discharge, vaginal itching or burning; sometimes no symptoms. Increased risk of preterm labour, premature rupture of membranes, infection during labour or postpartum. Baby: Preterm birth.	Can transfer through birth canal into uterus and to baby.	Mom: Antibiotics. Baby: Care needed for preterm birth.
Syphilis Diagnosed by a blood test.	Mom: May have small, painless sore in genital area within two months of exposure. Illness (about six weeks after sore heals) – fever, rash, headache, swollen glands. If not treated can cause problems years later, such as nervous system, eyes, heart. Possible preterm labour. Baby: Possible stillbirth; congenital syphilis with physical and mental problems.	Can cross the placenta during pregnancy and can transfer during birth.	Mom and Baby: Antibiotics during pregnancy. Baby: Antibiotics if mother not treated during pregnancy.