Disease

Symptoms

Effect on Health

Effect on Baby

Treatment

AIDS

long-lasting infection, diarrhea, night sweats, weight loss, swollen glands, coughing

immune system damage - leading to cancer, pneumonia, brain damage, death

fetus can get virus from mother during pregnancy or delivery, leading to death

no effective treatment

Chlamydia

itching or burning during urination, vaginal discharge, whitish discharge, or no symptoms at all

pelvic inflammatory disease, sterility

baby can get during vaginal birth, causing ear and eye infections, pneumonia

can be cured with antibiotics

Herpes

sores on penis or vagina, vaginal discharge, fever, tiredness, itching, aches and pains

first attack very painful; recurrent flare-ups less painful

baby can get during vaginal birth, causing skin infections, blindness, retardation, death

symptoms can be treated; no cure - flare-ups may occur 4 to 7 times a year

Gonorrhea

vaginal discharge, burning during urination; most women have NO symptoms

pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, arthritis

baby can get during vaginal birth, causing serious eye infections, blindness

can be cured with drugs; babies are treated with eye drops after birth

Syphilis

sores on penis or vagina, mouth, anus, or elsewhere, low fever, sore throat, other sores or rashes

if untreated, can cause damage to heart, nervous system, blindness, insanity, death

fetus can get before birth, damaging bones, liver, lungs.  Infected fetuses can die before or after birth

can be treated with drugs; once fetus is damaged, there is no cure

Genital Warts

genital itching, irritation, or bleeding; warts may appear as small cauliflower-shaped clusters

warts grow in size and number, may increase risk of cervical cancer

baby can get virus during birth, causing wart growth inside the voice box and blocking the windpipe

can be treated with drugs applied directly to warts or with surgery to remove them