Infection in Pregnancy

Other sexually transmitted diseases
There are a number of diseases transmitted trough sexual contact that can be harmful to you and your fetus. These include syphilis, gonorrhoea, herpes, chlamydia, condyloma as well as HIV (see above and Gynaesurgeon.co.uk).

All of these diseases are prevalent in all population groups, including women. HIV infection is transmitted primarily through sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal and oral) and the sharing of intravenous (IV) needles for drug injection. It can also be passed through a blood transfusion or from an infected mother to her fetus during pregnancy and lactation. With blood tests and a careful history your doctor will be able to tell you if you have been exposed to these diseases.

GBS - Group B Streptococcus - GBS is a bacteria that can be found as a normal member for the bacteria on a woman's body and in her vagina. Some babies do not have the right level of resistance to this bacteria in the first weeks after birth. If they are exposed to the bacteria during a vaginal delivery it can lead to life threatening infection. If you are a GBS carrier it is important that you receive antibiotics during labour, so that the amount of GBS on your body is temporarily reduced (they come back - that's why there is no point in treating before delivery). More information can be found at www.gbss.org.uk