An early sign of infection is a chancre, which may go unnoticed in women. A later sign of infection is a body rash. During pregnancy, the organism can cross the placenta to disrupt development and cause anatomical malformations, some of which may be so severe that the baby is stillborn. All bacterial sexually transmitted diseases can be treated with antibiotics. Many strains of these diseases have developed resistance to the better known antibiotics, though, so treatment can be prolonged and possibly ineffective.
Condoms can help prevent transmission.
Viruses many types as noted in the HIV lecture. Also as noted, HIV is sexually transmitted. A general viral life cycle is shown in Figure 16.3. Many of the features were discussed in the HIV lecture. Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death world wide in women.