Can You Be Born With An Std?

Can you be born with an STD? This is a question that may be in the minds of many people especially those who are worried about transferring STDs to the offspring. In this article, we will look at the possibility of being born with an STD and also details on how it transmits.

All age groups are at risk of getting STDs as some forms of STIs can be transmitted from mother to child during childbirth. This is quite surprising but it is a fact that if the mother has an STD, then her baby can be born with the disease.

STD (sexually transmitted diseases) are diseases that can be transferred through genital contact, like vaginal, anal or oral. STDs can be bacterial, viral, or parasitic and the symptoms may differ depending on the type of STD.

Can You Be Born With An STD?

Yes, you can be born with an STD. There are cases when a baby could be born with an infection that is passed from the mother, either during pregnancy or childbirth. This type of transmission is referred to as congenital transmission.

Congenital transmission may sound like a complicated medical term; it is simply a transfer of infections, diseases, or genetic disorders from the mother to the baby during pregnancy. This can happen through the placenta or the umbilical cord, and/or through breastfeeding.

One of the leading modes of congenital transmission is through the placenta. The placenta is an accessory organ that links the mother and the baby during pregnancy and delivers food and oxygen to the growing fetus.

However, there are cases where pathogens can cross the placenta and infect the developing fetus as well. It can occur with viruses like HIV, Zika virus, cytomegalovirus, and bacteria like Group B streptococcus among others.

Another mode of transmission occurs in congenital where the virus passes through the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord is the cord that joins the baby to the placenta where nutrient supply and waste products are exchanged.

Sometimes the infection passes through the umbilical cord and gets to the baby’s bloodstream. This may cause birth defects, developmental issues, or stillbirth in the worst-case scenario. Toxoplasmosis, Cytomegalovirus, and Rubella (torch infection) are examples of infections that may be passed through the umbilical cord.

Also, congenital transmission of certain infections can occur through breast milk. As much as breastfeeding is healthy for the baby it is important to note any risks associated so that alternative measures are taken.

The most common examples include HIV, hepatitis B, and cytomegalovirus; they can easily be transmitted through breast milk. In these cases, measures such as tube feeding, gavage, and other feeding techniques are advised to lower the chances of infection. Some of the STDs that may be transmitted from mother to child are:

HIV/AIDS

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and it is a virus that affects the immune system and leads to AIDS. HIV is passed from mother to child through antenatal, perinatal, and postpartum periods.

If not treated correctly, there has to be about a 15-45% chance of transmission of HIV from mother to child. However, with the right medical attention and antiretroviral drugs, they can lower the risk to a great extent. Children who are born from HIV-positive mothers can also take ART to reduce the risk of getting the disease even further.

Herpes

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) can be sexually transmitted from the mother to her child during delivery if she is infected at the time of delivery. The risk of a child developing neonatal herpes can be life-threatening because it is characterized by conditions such as brain damage, organ failure, and sometimes death.

Pregnant women with genital herpes are encouraged to have a surgical delivery through a cesarean section to minimize the chances of passing the disease to the child.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacteria that can be transmitted from a mother to her child during pregnancy or during the time of delivery. This condition can cause stillbirth, preterm birth, infant death, or any complication that may affect the baby in the long run if not treated. It is routine practice for pregnant women to undergo testing for syphilis during an antenatal check to avoid transmission to the baby.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

These are bacterial STDs that can be transmitted from mother to child, particularly at the time of delivery. If not treated the above infections may result in eye infections, pneumonia, or sepsis in the newborn. Pregnant women are regularly screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea during prenatal visits to avoid passing the diseases to the infant.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is transmissible from mother to child at the time of childbirth. Infants born to HBV-positive mothers are prone to contracting chronic hepatitis B infection and eventually liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer. To stop the spread of the virus, infants receive the Hepatitis B vaccine and Hepatitis B immune globulin at birth.

Factors that increase the risk of congenital STD transmission

Transmissibility of STDs during birth is a real concern to all expecting mothers and their unborn children. Several factors can increase the risk of congenital STD transmission: Some of them are as follows:

Transmission of congenital STD depends most crucially on the mother and her infection status with an STD. For example, syphilis, HIV, herpes, and chlamydia can be transmitted from the mother to the baby either through pregnancy, during delivery, or labor. Pregnant women should therefore go for STD check-ups and if infected they should ensure that they seek medical attention.

The transmission of STDs from mother to child during birth is a critical issue that has long-term implications for the life of the child. Several conditions can put one at higher risk for this kind of transmission and pregnant people need to know them to be safe.

Some other factors may enhance the threat of transmitting congenital STD and one of them is the type of STD. Some STDs are more dangerous to the fetus than others, like HIV and syphilis. As with other infections, these diseases pose a risk for transmission to the infant and can compromise the health of the mother and newborn.

Couples, especially those with these infections, should discuss their pregnancy with their doctor to avoid transmission of these diseases. Also, diseases of a sexually transmitted nature like herpes, HIV, chlamydia, and others are more likely to be transmitted through vaginal birth particularly when the woman has an active case of the disease during childbirth.

For instance, if the mother is affected with genital herpes during labor, the baby is likely to be affected through the birth canal. In such cases, the healthcare providers may advise the mother to undergo C-sections to minimize the risk of contraction of the disease.

Read also: How Much Is STD Testing At Planned Parenthood?

Consequence of being born with an STD

That is why children born with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) experience significant life changes. As soon as they are born with an STD, the child is faced with certain difficulties and problems that can influence his or her further life and personal interactions.

Another primary implication of being born with an STD is the social aspect because the condition attracts social stigma. Society often looks down on individuals with STDs and this results in withdrawal from social activities due to embarrassment.

This social stigma can be even higher in those who are born with an STD as they feel that they are at least partly to blame for their situation since they did not even choose to get infected.

However, being born with an STD is not only emotionally painful but also can have several consequences in terms of a person’s health and functioning. Most of the STDs can cause health complications later in life if not treated, which means that these babies born with STDs might have long-term health problems and lifelong medical conditions that require constant check-ups.

How Much Is STD Testing At Planned Parenthood?

Prevention and treatment

Can you be born with an STD? The answer is yes. A baby can be born with an STD if the mother is infected with the disease during pregnancy or if they acquire the disease during birth. It can be a severe problem for both the mother and the baby, which makes the issue of prevention and treatment relevant.

Staying safe is always important especially during pregnancy because an STD can be passed to the baby. Women of childbearing age, including pregnant, women, should have regular screening and treatment for STDs if necessary. It also means safe sex and should know your partner’s previous sexual activities.

In the case of children who are born with an STD situation, early treatment is required. Sometimes, antibiotics or antiviral medications may be prescribed to clear the infection and avoid more severe forms of the disease.

Most STDs do not ordinarily cross from mother to child during pregnancy, but there are a few exceptions. For instance, if a pregnant woman is infected with certain STDs such as syphilis or HIV, there is every tendency that the baby will be infected too. This can be through the placenta or during delivery if all the necessary measures are not observed.