[STD and mother to child transmission]

Sexually transmitted disease (STD) is the disease that is spread by sexual contact, including chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, genital warts, herpes, syphilis, and infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). STDs are the most common contagious diseases among young people in Japan. People with an STD may not have any symptoms and may not know they have it. Even if there are no symptoms, their health can be affected. Advanced STDs can cause severe damage to body. Often, symptoms occur only if the disease becomes more advanced. Untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women. PID is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It can cause infertility and ectopic pregnancy. If patient who has STD is pregnant, it can cause abortion, premature delivery and intrauterine infection.