For this reason, doctors usually recommend that a woman with herpes have a Cesarean section. It is important to note that condoms are not very effective against genital herpes. It can be treated with antibiotics, but if untreated can result in severe health complications for the person infected, as well as for a baby during delivery. The first symptoms can be very mild, usually a painless open sore in the genital area. If left untreated, complications can include a rash and eventual involvement of the heart and central nervous system.
Gonorrhea is still very common and increasing in frequency.
There are about 1 million new cases of gonorrhea each year in the U.S. Symptoms include painful or difficult urination or a discharge from the vagina. For women, gonorrhea carries a serious risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to infertility. It can be treated by antibiotics, although there are strains that have recently proven resistant to antibiotics.