Medical View on Sexually Transmitted Diseases
STD's Explained.
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Pregnancy and STDs
Indulging in sexual intercourse with someone who is suffering from a STD (sexually transmitted disease) can wreak havoc in the life of a pregnant woman. Being pregnant is a delicate situation because the mom has to take care of herself as well as the baby that is growing within her. A disease that affects the mom will affect her baby too. The fact of the matter is that not many pregnant women are aware of this simple actuality. They continue to lead a sexually promiscuous life without realizing that they are putting themselves and their baby in grave danger.
The pregnant women, however, have a leading edge over a conventional woman. They will be able to know about the infection during the routine prenatal checkup sessions (even though getting tested seperately is important), which are quite common these days. In fact, it has become a mandatory part of such sessions to include additional examinations for the occurrence or onset of sexually transmitted diseases. On the other hand, the other women do not get to enjoy these luxuries. They will come to know about their ailment only during the later stages, when they begin to experience the symptoms associated with the disease.
What are the common sexually transmitted diseases that can affect a pregnant woman? The list includes Chlamydia infection (which leads to LGV), bacterial Vaginosis, gonorrhea, herpes genitalis, HPV infections, syphilis and Trichomoniasis infections along with the well-known HIV infection, which can cause AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Now, what are the symptoms that would manifest in pregnant women? The list is exhaustive and outlining while explaining all of them is beyond the scope of this brief article. However, it includes inflammation of the reproductive organs, presence of rashes in the same region (sometimes all over the body) and pain while urinating. Elevated temperatures are also another characteristic feature of sexually transmitted diseases.
Okay, now that we are aware of the conditions and symptoms, let us consider how these diseases are going to affect the mom and the child. Most of the causative agents (such as bacteria, fungi, virus and protozoa) find themselves into the bloodstream of the infected mom. Once in the blood, they will move on to infect the baby. Taking medicines can cure the mom, but what happens to the stillborn child present within the mom? We cannot interact directly with the fetus and hence, once infected, treatment for the condition is virtually impossible.
Quite often, loose sexual encounters are one of the primitive factors that cause sexually transmitted diseases in women, which are often huge risks to the maternal health. Some women have intense sexual drives and always indulge in weird sexual adventures - sometimes even with perfect strangers. Approximately, ninety percent of the infection occurs via this manner. The only way to prevent it from happening, is to practice safe sex. Having multiple partners is not recommended at all. At times, a certain infective agent can lie for extended years in a dormant state within the system of the woman. It can resurface to cause pain and anguish to the expectant mother.