Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can spread from one person to another through sexual contact. STIs are common, and many are easy to treat. However, STIs can cause complications in those who are pregnant.
In addition to the usual health risks associated with STIs, pregnant people
STIs
Some STIs can also pass to the baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
This article looks at common STIs, their risks to a pregnant person and the fetus, and how STIs can affect babies. It also provides advice on treatment and prevention.
According to the
Passing an STI to a baby can have harmful effects. These may include:
- low birth weight – less than 5 pounds
- pneumonia
- blindness
- deafness
- acute hepatitis
- chronic liver disease, which can lead to cirrhosis
- stillbirth
STI is a blanket term for several infections spread through unprotected sexual activity. They can affect anyone.
Some of the symptoms of an STI
- unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
- abnormal vaginal odor
- sores or warts on the genital area
- itching and redness in the genital area
- painful or frequent urination
- blisters or sores in or around the mouth
- anal itching, soreness, or bleeding
- fever
- abdominal pain
A person should speak with a doctor if they experience any of these symptoms.
Many STIs have no symptoms, so a person may not realize they have one. It is important for a person to test regularly, especially if they are, or are planning to be, pregnant.
Here are some common STIs, the risks they pose to a pregnant person and the fetus, and how a person can lower the risks of complications.
According to the
It can also cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which may permanently damage the uterus or fallopian tubes. This can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy and cause fertility problems.
A baby can contract chlamydia during childbirth. This can cause the infant to be born with conjunctivitis or pneumonia.
Treatment
A person can take antibiotics to
HPV is an umbrella term for a group of different types of viruses. According to the
Most people who have HPV do not display any symptoms. For this reason, it is important to have regular screenings for HPV and cervical cancer.
Treatment
There is
The risk of passing HPV to the baby is low. A 2016 study found that of 67 newborns born to people with HPV, 11% tested positive for the virus.
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection. The
Like chlamydia, untreated gonorrhea
Gonorrhea can also spread to the infant through the birth canal during vaginal delivery. Gonorrhea infection in babies can cause blindness, life threatening blood infections, or joint infections.
Treatment
Taking antibiotics can cure gonorrhea in a pregnant person.
Genital herpes can cause sores or blisters around a person’s genitals.
A person with genital herpes
Treatment
A person with genital herpes may need to take antiherpes medicine towards the end of their pregnancy. This can help prevent transmission during delivery.
If herpes symptoms are still present at the time of delivery, doctors may recommend a C-section to reduce the risk of infection.
HIV is a viral infection that can lead to AIDS. HIV impacts the immune system and makes a person vulnerable to other infections and diseases. For this reason, babies with HIV are at a
According to the
Treatment
Taking anti-HIV drugs throughout pregnancy, labor, and delivery and giving anti-HIV medicine to the baby for 4–6 weeks after birth can significantly reduce the baby’s risk of contracting HIV.
A person with HIV should also bottle-feed, rather than breastfeed or chestfeed, the infant.
HBV is a viral infection that affects the liver.
According to the
Infants who contract HBV have a higher risk of developing chronic liver disease or liver cancer. Of infants who develop a chronic HBV infection, 25% will eventually die from chronic liver disease.
Treatment
There is no cure for HBV. However, antiviral medications can reduce the risk of complications in pregnancy.
All newborns should receive a hepatitis B globulin and hepatitis B vaccine within
The Hepatitis B Foundation says this significantly reduces the risk of the infant developing chronic HBV. To prevent chronic HPV, the baby must receive the vaccine within 24 hours of birth.
Pubic lice, or “crabs,” are parasites that live in the pubic hair surrounding the genitals.
According to NYC Health, pubic lice has no known serious effects on a pregnant person or unborn baby.
Treatment
A person can treat pubic lice with creams and lotions. However, some medications for pubic lice are not suitable to use while pregnant, chestfeeding or breastfeeding as they can harm the baby.
A person should speak with a doctor about treatments that are safe to use during pregnancy, chestfeeding, and breastfeeding.
Syphilis is a bacterial infection. Untreated syphilis can have serious health consequences for both a pregnant person and the fetus.
Pregnant people risk passing the infection on to the developing fetus. Doctors call this congenital syphilis, and it
Babies born with congenital syphilis may not show symptoms straight away, but without treatment, problems can develop within a few weeks after birth.
The infection can affect multiple organs throughout the body, including the brain, heart, eyes, ears, and bones.
Treatment
Doctors treat syphilis in pregnant people with benzathine penicillin G. According to a 2019 article, this treatment is about 98.2% effective in preventing congenital syphilis.
People with trichomoniasis rarely have symptoms, but infection
A person should undergo screening for trichomoniasis and other STIs before and during pregnancy. If a person has HIV, they are more likely to contract trichomoniasis.
Treatment
Antibiotics can treat trichomoniasis in a pregnant person.
Anyone who has sex is at risk of contracting an STI, but there are ways to reduce the risk.
- Vaccines: There are vaccines available that protect against HPV and HBV. Doctors generally do not recommend the HPV vaccine for pregnant people, so a person should get this vaccine before they become pregnant.
- Condoms: When a person uses them correctly and consistently, condoms can protect against STIs.
OWH states that a person should wear a condom before any genital, oral, or anal contact. - Regular testing: A person should undergo screening for STIs before and during pregnancy and make sure that any sexual partners also have tests. A person should also confirm that any new partners are free of STIs before they have sex with them.
The
| STI | Risk factors | Screening guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Chlamydia | • Having a new sexual partner, multiple sexual partners, or a sexual partner with an STI • Having a sexual partner who has other partners • Not using condoms during sex | Early pregnancy: Pregnant people who are younger than 25 should undergo screening. Pregnant people who are older than 25 should undergo screening if any risk factors apply to them. Third trimester: Pregnant people under 25 or at high risk should undergo re-screening. If a pregnant person tests positive for chlamydia, they should re-test 3–4 weeks after treatment and again within 3 months. |
| HPV | • Not being vaccinated against HPV • Having multiple sexual partners or a sexual partner who has other partners • Not using condoms during sex | All people aged between |
| Gonorrhea | • Having a new sexual partner, multiple sexual partners, or a sexual partner with an STI • Having a sexual partner who has other partners • Having an STI currently or in the past • Engaging in paid sexual services • Not using condoms during sex | Early pregnancy: Pregnant people who have an increased risk of contracting gonorrhea and all pregnant people who are younger than 25 should undergo screening. Third trimester: Pregnant people at a continued high risk should undergo re-screening. |
| Genital herpes | • Having a sexual partner with genital herpes • Having a new sexual partner or multiple sexual partners • Not using condoms during sex | Doctors do not recommend screening asymptomatic pregnant people for herpes. Before and during labor, a healthcare professional should examine a person for genital warts. |
| HIV | • • Sharing unsterilized needles • Not using condoms during sex | Early pregnancy: All pregnant people should undergo screening. Third trimester: All pregnant people who are at high risk of contracting HIV should undergo re-screening. |
| HBV | • Having a new sexual partner, multiple sexual partners, or a sexual partner with a positive Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test result. • Recently or currently using drugs via injection • Not using condoms during sex | Early pregnancy: All pregnant people should undergo screening. Third trimester: Pregnant people with HBV symptoms, who are at high risk of contracting HBV, or have not had a test previously should undergo re-screening. |
| Syphilis | • Misusing drugs • Having another STI during pregnancy • Having a new sexual partner, multiple sexual partners, or a sexual partner with an STI • Living in an area with a high number of syphilis cases • Not using condoms during sex | Early pregnancy: All pregnant people should undergo screening. Third trimester (28 weeks and at delivery): All pregnant people who are at high risk of contracting syphilis, who have not previously had a test, or who have had a positive test in early pregnancy should undergo re-screening. |
| Trichomoniasis | • Having HIV • Having a new sexual partner, multiple sexual partners, or a sexual partner with an STI • Not using condoms during sex | Pregnant people with a higher risk of contracting trichomoniasis and those with symptoms should undergo screening. |
There are no screening recommendations for pubic lice during pregnancy. If a person has concerns, they should speak with a doctor.
STIs are common among those who are sexually active. Pregnant people are just as likely to become infected as non-pregnant people. People who are pregnant, or trying to become pregnant, should get tested for STIs regularly.
Pregnant people who test positive for STIs will need to follow a doctor’s treatment advice. This will reduce the risk of complications to the pregnancy and the chances of passing the infection on to the infant.
Doctors will discuss different treatments depending on the type of infection.