When most people think of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) or Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), they immediately associate them with sexual contact between adults. Because of this, the idea that a newborn baby could have an STD sounds confusing and alarming. However, it is a very real medical reality.
Babies can absolutely be born with certain STDs, though they do not acquire them through sexual contact. Instead, these infections are passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, delivery or shortly after birth. Understanding how this happens is the first step toward preventing it and protecting the health of the next generation.
Overview
Yes, a person can be born with an STD. In the medical world, when an infection is passed from a mother to her baby, it is called “vertical transmission” or a “congenital” infection. If a pregnant woman has an active or untreated STD, the bacteria or virus can cross the placenta and infect the growing baby in the womb, or the baby can catch the infection as it passes through the birth canal during delivery.
Fortunately, with proper medical care, early testing and treatment during pregnancy, the vast majority of these transmissions can be completely prevented.
What claims says about being born with an STD
There is a common misconception that STDs are only transmitted through sexual intercourse, meaning it would be physically impossible for a baby to be born with one. Some people also mistakenly believe that if a baby is born with an STD, it means the infection is somehow baked into their DNA or genetics, like inheriting blue eyes or brown hair. Because the very name of the disease category includes the word “sexually,” the claim that a baby cannot be born with an STD seems perfectly logical to someone without medical training.
What the science actually says
The science shows that bacteria, viruses or parasites cause STDs. While they are most commonly spread through sexual contact, that is not the only way they spread. These tiny organisms live in blood, bodily fluids and mucous membranes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are three primary ways a mother can pass an STD to her baby:
In the womb: Infections like Syphilis and HIV can cross the placenta, the organ that provides nutrients to the baby, and enter the baby’s bloodstream while they are still developing. When a baby is born with syphilis, it is specifically called “congenital syphilis.”
During childbirth: Infections like Chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes and hepatitis B are often passed to the baby as it moves through the infected birth canal during a vaginal delivery. The baby can get the infected fluids in their eyes, mouth or lungs.
Through Breastfeeding: While less common for most STDs, HIV can be transmitted to an infant through breast milk.
“We must normalize routine STD testing during all stages of pregnancy, removing the stigma and treating it as standard, essential care to protect the newborn,” says Elliott Brannon, MSTP Fellow in Health Infrastructures and Learning Systems.
Why the misconception exists
The misconception exists purely because of how we name and talk about these diseases. We group them under the umbrella of “Sexually Transmitted Diseases” because that is how adults catch them. We rarely talk about the underlying viruses and bacteria in everyday conversation.
For example, people often forget that HIV is a bloodborne virus, and hepatitis B affects the liver. When we hyper-focus on the “sexual” part of the name, we forget the basic biology of how germs travel through blood and bodily fluids.
The real risks
The real risk is that an untreated STD during pregnancy can cause devastating, lifelong health problems for the baby, or even result in a tragic stillbirth. For instance, gonorrhea or chlamydia can cause severe eye infections that lead to permanent blindness in newborns, as well as dangerous lung infections like pneumonia, explains the World Health Organization.
Congenital syphilis can cause deformed bones, severe brain damage and organ failure. Genital herpes, if contracted during birth, can lead to a potentially fatal brain infection in the newborn.
Instead of focusing on the stigma, it is crucial to focus on the medical solution: prenatal screening. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) emphasizes that almost all of these tragedies are entirely preventable if the mother receives early prenatal care, gets tested and is treated with the correct medications before the baby is born.
If you find out you are pregnant, your very first doctor’s appointment is critical. Doctors will routinely draw your blood to test for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B, and they will usually take a swab for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Even if you feel perfectly healthy and have no symptoms, these tests are standard and essential. Catching an infection early means your doctor can prescribe safe medications to protect your baby fully.
Can a baby born with syphilis be cured?
Yes, a baby born with congenital syphilis can be cured of the active infection. According to the Mayo Clinic, syphilis is a bacterial infection, which means it can be effectively treated with antibiotics. The standard treatment for a newborn with congenital syphilis is a strict course of penicillin given through an IV in the hospital, usually for 10 days.
However, there is a very important catch. While the penicillin will successfully kill the syphilis bacteria and cure the infection, it cannot reverse any physical damage that the bacteria have already caused to the baby’s bones, brain or organs while they were in the womb, the Cleveland Clinic explains. This is why testing and treating the mother during pregnancy is the absolute best way to ensure a healthy baby.
What STDs don’t show up on tests?
This is a tricky question because almost all STDs can be tested for, but they don’t always show up, depending on when you test and how you test.
All STDs have an incubation period. For example, if you catch HIV today, it might not show up on a standard blood test for several weeks or months.
Certain STDs, like genital herpes (HSV) and human papillomavirus (HPV), are not typically included in standard, routine STD blood panels unless you have active physical symptoms, like sores or warts.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea frequently have absolutely no symptoms, especially in women. If a medical expert does not explicitly swab for them or test your urine, you will not know you have them.
Can a person with an STD live a normal life?
Absolutely. An STD diagnosis is not the end of the world, nor does it prevent someone from living a long, healthy and completely normal life. Bacterial STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are entirely curable with a simple round of antibiotics.
For viral STDs that cannot be cured, modern medicine has made them highly manageable. People living with HIV who take daily antiretroviral therapy (ART) can lower the virus in their blood to undetectable levels, meaning they will live a normal lifespan and cannot pass the virus to their sexual partners, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
People with herpes can take daily antiviral pills to suppress outbreaks and dramatically lower the chance of passing it to someone else.
Bottom line
“Babies can absolutely be born with certain STDs, such as syphilis, HIV and chlamydia,” confirms Dr. Justus Rabach, MD. “If the infection is passed from the mother through the placenta or during childbirth. While these congenital infections can cause severe and permanent health complications for the newborn, they are highly preventable. By ensuring routine STD testing and proper medical treatment during early prenatal care, mothers can protect their babies and ensure a safe, healthy delivery.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the rarest STD?
Donovanosis (Granuloma Inguinale) is considered one of the rarest STDs in developed nations, causing painless but destructive ulcers in the genital region.
What STDs can stay for life?
Viral STDs, including HIV, genital herpes (HSV), hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV), cannot be cured with antibiotics and can remain in the body for life. However, they can be safely managed with medication.
Citations
CDC. About STIs and Pregnancy. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Published May 9, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/sti/about/about-stis-and-pregnancy.html
WHO. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). World Health Organization. Published May 29, 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis)
McKinnon HF, Fair ML, Teel J, et al. Perceptions of stigma of pregnant individuals experiencing substance use disorder receiving prenatal care at magdalene clinic: a cross-sectional study. Harm reduction journal. Published online Summer 2026:10.1186/s12954-02501377-8. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-025-01377-8
Mayo Clinic. Syphilis – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic. Mayoclinic.org. Published September 10, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/syphilis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351762
Cleveland Clinic. Syphilis. Cleveland Clinic. Published December 27, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4622-syphilis
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. 10 Things to Know About HIV Suppression | NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. www.niaid.nih.gov. Published June 12, 2020. https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/10-things-know-about-hiv-suppression