Bacterial And Viral STD Health Risk To Baby

Bacterial And Viral STD Health Risk To Baby

BACTERIAL STDS

[] Rectal Germs: The anus and the vagina are in close relation to one another. Perspiration between those areas will transfer the germs from the anus to the vagina. Anal sex makes one more susceptible to contracting diseases. These germs can cause discharge, inflammation, and bladder infections.

[] Chlamydia: Known as “The Silent STD” It is the most common bacterial STD in the U.S. 75% of women and 50% of men have no symptoms. Chlamydia can lead to sterility or tubal pregnancy if untreated. This disease can be transferred from the genitals to the eyes via the hands and can infect the throat. It is treated with antibiotics, but one can get reinfected by a partner who has not been treated. There is a higher risk of stillbirths.

Risk to Baby: This disease can cause mental retardation in infected babies. Babies born to mothers infected with this disease can develop eye, and/or lung infections that cause blindness, and pneumonia or other respiratory problems unless mother is treated.

[] Gonorrhea “The Clapp”: Often has no noticeable symptoms. Eventually there will be an abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina, painful burning urination, and lower abdominal pain in females. It can damage the reproductive organs & cause sterility. It gets into the urinary tract and remains there causing much damage. This disease can go to the eyes and cause blindness. Damage done by this germ may be permanent. If not treated the disease may lead to arthritis or heart disease. A person with this type of damage can pass a tendency towards weakness in the offspring.

Risk to Baby: Babies born to mothers infected with this disease can develop eye infections that cause blindness unless treated. Treatment involves antibiotics.

[] Trichomoniasis: “Trich”: is a protozoan which can remain alive outside the body on wet towels, clothes, and other surfaces for a few hours. Females may notice symptoms that include a foul, fishy odor, frothy discharge, burning & itching. Most males have no symptoms. Some may experience painful urination. Medication is used as a treatment.

[] Syphilis: This germ can remain in the body, undetected. It can mutate and become altered waiting until the immune system falters. Syphilis can destroy sexual organs, the brain, & other organs. There is a higher risk of stillbirths. Blood contamination can result effecting & impairing future generations. Risk to Baby: This disease can cause babies to be born deaf and/or mentally retarded.

[] 1^st Stage: Hard round painless chancre sore. Symptoms then disappear.

[] 2^nd Stage: Body rash, lesions on hands and feet, fever, weight loss, hair loss, swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms then disappear.

[] 3^rd Stage: No outward sign of disease, however the person’s tissues & body organs are being damaged.

[] 4^th Stage: Blindness, paralysis, liver damage, mental problems, death. Occurs many years after untreated infection. Treatment involves antibiotics, which are usually effective during the 1^st and 2^nd stages. Organ damage occurring during 3^rd stage may be irreversible. Emotionally giving away of power

VIRAL STDS
[] Human papaloma virus (HPV) Genital Warts: Spread through intimate touching or direct contact with infected bed linen, towels and clothing. Possible symptoms are small mountain of cells “Warts” that develop tops that look like cauliflower, they bleed when touched. Often people have no symptoms. There are many strains of HPV which can lead to cervical cancer. Dermatologists have procedures to remove the warts by burning, freezing, or laser surgery. However after treatment anal, penile, or vaginal tissues bleed for days. When tissues finally heal, warts have been known to come back. Risk to Baby: Babies exposed to HPV organism during childbirth may get warts in their throats.

[] Herpes: Is spread by kissing, intimate touch, infected bed linens, wet towels or clothing. Herpes causes pain when ever the nerves are stimulated. It also causes burning sensations during urination, in-tense painful genital blisters and itching. This dis-ease brings with it flu-like symptoms, nausea & vomiting. Herpes symptoms often go away, but return later when the infected person is stressed or fatigued. Treatment is given to relieve discomforts. Risk to Baby: This disease can cause mental retardation in infected babies.

Emotional sexual guilt. Public shame. Rejection of genitals and feeling a need for punishment.

[] Hepatitis A: This disease is found in the stool (feces) of a HAV infected person. It is spread from person – person by putting something in the mouth, even though it looks clean, that has been handled by a person with HAV. Ways of spreading: Engaging in anal sex, not washing hands after using the toilet, or changing diapers and then touching food.

[] Hepatitis B & Hepatitis C: Kissing, alone, perspiration, as well as sexual contact can transmit hepatitis from one person to another. Anal intercourse is the most common way that hepatitis is passed from one partner to another. Sharing needles is the 2^nd notable way that Hepatitis is passed. It is also passed by tooth brushes, nail files and razors contaminated by blood. Symptoms include fever, achy muscles, vomiting and diarrhea. Hepatitis left untreated can lead to serious liver damage and death. It usually takes a few months with treatment for this disease to clear up. Some people however remain chronically ill.

Emotional resistance to change. Fear, anger, hatred.

[] HIV Human Immunoligical Virus:STDs Increasing One’s Risk For HIV. HIV in semen, blood, or vaginal fluids passes between partners through the thin mucous membranes of the penis, vagina, rectum, mouth, or through tiny cuts or open sores on these organs. Being infected with another STD i.e. syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, increases ones risk of acquiring HIV due to the scarring of the organs allowing blood transmission.

Viral load test: Measures the amount of HIV in a sample of blood. It shows how well the body’s immune system is controlling the virus. It also provides a baseline measurement for viral load during treatments. Higher numbers mean there is more of the virus in the body. It is considered healthy to have a viral load that is on the low scale. This indicates the body is not being challenged to fight off a disease present.

CD4+T Cell Count:

This is a measurement of the strength of your immune system. This is the number of CD4+ cells (also called T4 cells white blood cells) in a sample of blood. The higher the CD4+cell count, the stronger the immune system. Healthy people have between 500 & 1,500 CD4+ cells per milliliter of blood. It shows how well the immune system is working and provides a baseline measurement of the person’s CD4+ T cell count. It is healthy to have this number on the higher scale. 1,500 or more.

Almost all babies born to AIDS-infected mothers will test HIV positive at birth, however, this does not mean they are infected with the AIDS virus. Mothers with AIDS virus develop antibodies, which causes most babies to test positive. The antibodies disappear within 6-12 months in 70% of the babies. They will then not test as being HIV+. Only 30% will continue to have these antibodies and test positive for HIV infection.

VIRAL STDS

Recommended Study Material

www.afraidtoask.com

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/

http://www.hemophilia.on.ca/hepatitis/booklet96.htm

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