There are many Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and Reproductive Tract infections (RTIs) that you may be tested for during your ante-natal period. You might also have gotten pregnant, knowing that you already carried such an infection. There are many different types, such as :
- trichomoniasis
- bacterial vaginosis (BV)
- candidiasis

There are bacterial infections such as :
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- Syphilis
- Group B streptococcus (GBS)

And viral infections such as :
- genital warts
- hepatitis B virus (HBV)
- hepatitis C virus (HBC)
- herpes simplex virus (HSV)
- cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

so let’s look at each of these in turn and see what, if anything, can be done about them.

TRICHOMONIASIS is transmitted sexually. Symptoms include vaginal discharge, vulval pruritus (severe itching) and inflammation. Some women won’t experience symptoms at all. It can cause preterm delivery and low birth weight in some cases. It can be treated.

BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS is common in women of child-bearing age. The main symptom is a greyish watery discharge, though half of all women again will not show symptoms, or be aware of them. There is also a pronounced smell noticed, especially after sex and the vulva can be irritated. It can be treated.

CANDIDIASIS is caused by a fungal parasite. Symptoms include vaginal pruritus and soreness and a thick, white discharge. It can be treated.

CHLAMYDIA can be caused through sexual transmission and is one of the causes of Pelvic Inflammatory disease (PID). You may not notice symptoms, though there is a discharge, sometimes post-sexual bleeding, inter-menstrual bleeding and low abdominal pain. It can be treated with antibiotics.

GONORRHOEA is caused by sexual transmission. The most commonly seen symptoms are increased/altered discharge, low abdominal pain, dysuria (painful or difficult urination) and intermenstrual bleeding. Gonorrhoea can transmit to the baby as it passes through the birth canal and this can be checked for with an eye swab after birth. It can be treated with penicillin.

SYPHILIIS is usually contracted through sex. It can involve most organs of the body.

GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS is naturally colonised in our bodies. Screening is prevalent in the US where there is a large problem of GBS. It can be treated and reduced with antibiotics.

GENITAL WARTS are often passed on through sex. The rates of detection in the Uk has raised in the last decade. They can cause physical discomfort, are disfiguring and distressing. Pregnancy can alter the size and shape of the warts, usually making them grow. They are difficult to treat, though most are benign and you may be offered a caesarean if they obstruct your birth canal.

HEPATITIS B VIRUS is a major health concern worldwide. It can spread through any body fluids, unsterilised equipment. Symptoms start off as flu-like, then a jaundice develops, nausea, fatigue. You can also suffer with chronic liver disease. Infected mothers can breastfeed their children if the babies have been treated with hep B specific immunoglobulin (HBIg)

HEPATITIS C VIRUS is also common worldwide. Transmitted through blood and blood products. Transmission by sexual contact is low.

HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS is divided into two types. In adults, symptoms may be painful or ulcerative lesions, fever and myalgia (pain in a muscle or group of muscles).

CYTOMEGALOVIRUS is a member of the herpes family. It enlarges the cells it affects. Symptoms may be mild malaise, myalgia and fever. There are treatments.

HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS has two types. HIV-1 and HIV-2. This is such a large subject I will go into it at a later date.

As you can see, some of these conditions show similar symptoms so it is very important to get them checked out for your own sake, and that of your baby. And even though there are treatments, this is sometimes all that they are, treatments not cures. It depends where in the world you are and how developed your condition may be.

If you have any concern that you may have, or have been with someone with these conditions, then do not be afraid to tell your medical team.