Sexuality
Syphilis
1. Syphilis is an easily transmitted bacterial sexually transmitted disease that affects the
entire body. It runs in several stages, and very different symptoms appear. Sometimes,
syphilis is not noticeable at all. Therefore, the disease often goes undetected. The bacteria
can penetrate another person's body via minor injuries in the skin or mucous membrane
(e.g., in the mouth, in the anal area, on the penis, or in the vagina). If left untreated,
syphilis can have serious, sometimes life-threatening consequences. The disease is easily
treatable with antibiotics. Condoms/femidoms during vaginal and anal intercourse reduce
the risk of transmission but do not provide complete protection.
2. Pregnant women can give the bacteria on to their unborn children. According to CDC, all
pregnant women should be tested for syphilis at the first prenatal visit. Some women
need to be tested again during the third trimester and at delivery. Depending on how long
a pregnant woman has been infected, she may have a high risk of having a stillbirth or
giving birth to a baby who dies shortly after birth. Untreated syphilis in pregnant women
results in infant death in up to 40 percent of cases. Penicillin therapy can treat syphilis
and prevent passing the disease to her baby; treatment with penicillin is highly effective
in preventing mother-to-child transmission.
Genital Herpes
1. Genital herpes is one of the sexually transmitted diseases. Condition almost always
occurs through unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner. Most people
become infected through sex, oral or anal sex with an infected partner when they contact
their mucous membranes or body fluids. People whose genital herpes causes acute
symptoms and unprotected sexual intercourse during this phase are exceptionally
infectious. It is not uncommon for an infection to proceed without symptoms, which is
why those affected do not know that they have herpes viruses. They are still contagious.
The disease manifests itself with tingling, pain, and blisters on the vagina, penis, external
genital area of the woman, and thighs.
2. CDC states that prenatal care visits are crucial if you are pregnant and have
genital herpes. A genital herpes infection may lead to miscarriage or make it more likely
to deliver your baby too early. Neonatal herpes is one of the most severe complications of
genital herpes. Herpes in newborns is a painful disease and cannot be compared with the
disease progression of herpes in adults in terms of severity and possible complications.
Due to the powerless immune system, the viruses can multiply more quickly and spread
throughout the infant's body. Transmission of the virus to the fetus with herpes during
pregnancy usually results in serious complications. For example, malformations occur in
the fetus (microcephaly, hydrocephalus, microphthalmia), or the mother even suffers a
miscarriage. Fortunately, an infection of the unborn child is infrequent with herpes during
pregnancy.
Trichomoniasis
1. In the United States, there were more than two million trichomoniasis infections in 2018
(2021). Trichomoniasis infection is one of the so-called sexually transmitted diseases.
This means that trichomonas infection occurs during sexual intercourse in almost all
cases. As a result, the condition is usually limited to the vagina and lower urinary tract.
The trichomoniasis infection (trichomoniasis) is one of the most common sexually
transmitted diseases of the urogenital tract worldwide. It mainly affects women. In most
cases, the infection is symptomless. Treatment is a short course of antibiotics. However,
caution should be exercised during pregnancy. A trichomoniasis infection should be
detected and treated early. Otherwise, there may be complications during pregnancy. In
addition, other sexually transmitted diseases are facilitated, often resulting in multiple
infections simultaneously. The most common trichomoniasis symptoms are vaginal
discharge, excruciating itching, painful urination, or an unpleasant smell. To protect
against trichomoniasis infection, a condom should be used during intercourse.
2. Since trichomonads often do not cause any symptoms, the disease remains unnoticed for
a long time; but can also heal. An untreated trichomoniasis infection may affect the
course of a pregnancy. Significant complications are prematurity and low birth weight.
Sexually transmitted diseases in pregnant women must be recognized and treated
appropriately because the consequences of an untreated infection can be severe.
Transmission of the germs from the mother to the unborn child can result in miscarriages,
prematurity, low birth weight stillbirths, or severe damage, including the central nervous
system.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, August 10). Std facts - syphilis (detailed).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved January 19, 2022, from
https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis-detailed.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, January 3). Std Facts - Genital herpes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved January 19, 2022, from
https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, July 22). Std Facts - Trichomoniasis. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved January 19, 2022, from
https://www.cdc.gov/std/trichomonas/stdfact-trichomoniasis.htm