What STDs can pass through breast milk?

Understanding STDs and Breast Milk Transmission
The transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) through breast milk is a topic of significant concern for new mothers and healthcare providers alike. While the risk of transmitting STDs via breastfeeding is generally considered low, certain infections can pose a risk under specific circumstances.
Key STDs and Their Transmission Risks
1. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus):
HIV is one of the most notable STDs that can be transmitted through breast milk. If a mother is HIV-positive, the virus can be present in her breast milk, potentially infecting the infant during breastfeeding. However, with proper medical management, including antiretroviral therapy, the risk of transmission can be significantly reduced. Health organizations often recommend that HIV-positive mothers consult with healthcare providers to determine the safest feeding options for their infants.
2. Hepatitis B:
Hepatitis B can also be transmitted through breast milk, although the risk is relatively low. The virus is more commonly transmitted through blood and bodily fluids. Mothers with active Hepatitis B infections are advised to take precautions, especially if there are open sores or lesions on the breast.
3. Syphilis:
Syphilis is another STD that can affect breastfeeding. While the bacteria that cause syphilis are not typically found in breast milk, if a mother has active sores on her breast, there is a risk of transmission through direct contact. Therefore, mothers with syphilis should avoid breastfeeding until the sores are healed.
4. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV):
Similar to syphilis, herpes can be transmitted if there are active lesions on the breast. If a mother has a herpes outbreak, it is crucial to avoid breastfeeding directly from the affected breast. Instead, expressing milk from the unaffected breast or using a pump can help mitigate the risk of transmission.
5. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia:
The risk of transmitting gonorrhea and chlamydia through breast milk is considered negligible. These infections are more likely to be transmitted through sexual contact or during childbirth rather than through breastfeeding. However, mothers with these infections should be evaluated for other STDs and treated accordingly.
6. Hepatitis C:
Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through blood and does not pass through breast milk. Therefore, breastfeeding is generally considered safe for mothers with Hepatitis C, as long as there are no blood-to-blood contact situations.
Conclusion
While the transmission of STDs through breast milk is possible for certain infections, the overall risk is low for most STDs. Mothers who are concerned about their health status or who have been diagnosed with an STD should engage in open discussions with healthcare providers to ensure the best practices for breastfeeding and infant health. By taking appropriate precautions and following medical advice, mothers can navigate the complexities of breastfeeding while managing their health conditions effectively.

What STD is passed through breast milk?

The risk for transmission from mother to child varies significantly if the maternal infection is a primary infection (eg, herpes simplex virus [HSV], HIV1), a secondary (reactivation) infection (eg, HSV, CMV) or a chronic infection (eg, hepatitis B, HIV1, HTLV-I) during pregnancy or lactation.

Can STDs be transmitted through nipples?

As we noted earlier with HIV, the potential risks of STI exposure go up very slightly if a person’s nipples have open cuts or sores. But it’s still unlikely that you will get an STI from nipple sucking, nipple play, or anything in that same vein. Nipples and breasts simply aren’t moist enough to be the home of an STI.

What transfers through breast milk?

Almost any drug that’s present in the blood will transfer into breast milk to some extent. Most medications do so at low levels and pose no real risk to most infants. There are exceptions, though. Some drugs can be found in high levels in breast milk.

What are the four new STDs?

In addition, emerging outbreaks of new infections that can be acquired by sexual contact such as mpox, Shigella sonnei, Neisseria meningitidis, Ebola and Zika, as well as re-emergence of neglected STIs such as lymphogranuloma venereum.

What diseases are transmitted through breast milk?

The concern is about viral pathogens, known to be blood-borne pathogens, which have been identified in breast milk and include but are not limited to hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), West Nile virus, human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV), and HIV.

Why avoid strawberries while breastfeeding?

A quart or more of orange juice or a diet heavy in seasonal fruits such as strawberries, melons or cherries have been associated with diarrhea and colicky symptoms in some infants. Foods containing many preservatives, additives or dyes have been associated with signs of discomfort in some babies.

What STDs are transmitted through breastmilk?

If you have HIV, do not breastfeed. You can pass the virus to your baby. In countries like the United States where clean water is available, using a breastmilk substitute like formula is recommended. If you have chlamydia, gonorrhea, or HPV, you can breastfeed your baby.

What illnesses should you not breastfeed?

When Should I Not Breastfeed My Baby?

• If the mother has been infected with HIV or has AIDS.
• Many medications taken by the mother may pass onto the baby via breast milk.
• Mothers with cancer who are taking cancer chemotherapy medications also cannot breastfeed their babies.

How did I get trichomoniasis if no one cheats?

While trichomoniasis is usually passed sexually, it may be picked up from contact with damp or moist objects such as towels, wet clothing, or a toilet seat, if the genital area gets in contact with these damp or moist objects.

Can trichomoniasis be passed through breast milk?

Mothers cannot pass trichomoniasis to their babies through breastfeeding. During treatment for trichomoniasis, the CDC recommends that breastfeeding women, stop breastfeeding during the course of metronidazole treatment and for 12-24 hours after the last day of the prescription.