Abstract
Infectious diseases play an important role in the lives of young adults, influencing their health and that of future children. Infections have been identified to impact a number of important reproductive outcomes, including fertility, miscarriage and spontaneous abortion, fetal, newborn, delivery, and obstetric outcomes including low birthweight and preterm birth. Many different infectious agent types, including bacteria, parasites, and viruses, may influence birth outcomes as well as overall health. This chapter will focus on traditional infectious disease interventions in clinical care, such as treatment with appropriate anti-infective agents or prevention with immunizations. However, it is important to note that many infectious diseases include an element of environmental contribution and while not a focus of this discussion, the profound impact of public health interventions in mitigating infectious disease cannot be understated.