Flash Cards
How’d you get my name?
From someone who has this disease and cares enough about you to suggest that you may need an examination
Who gave you my name?
I can’t give you that information because it’s strictly confidential. Likewise, I’m not going to share information about you with anybody
How do I know this isn’t a joke or that someone gave my name to get back at me?
I wouldn’t be out here talking to you if I wasn’t sure this is serious and for real. What makes you think it could be a joke?
Do I have the disease?
Not necessarily, but you’ve been exposed. Not everyone who’s exposed gets the disease, but the only way to be sure is to be examined as quickly as possible. What time tomorrow will you be able to come to the clinic?
I haven’t had sex with anyone in over a month.
This may not have been in the last month. It could have been many weeks or months ago. That doesn’t lessen the risk, and the need to get an examination as soon as possible. What time today will you be at the clinic, in order to get tested and, if necessary, treated?
But I feel fine. I haven’t had any sores, rashes, discharges, or anything
Many people with it don’t experience any signs or symptoms. That’s why you were fortunate that someone wanted us to inform you and give you the opportunity to get tested. What time today can I tell the doctor that you’ll be in?
What are you accusing me of? I haven’t had sex with anyone but my husband!
Ma’am, I’m not trying to accuse you of anything. I just wanted to let you know that you have been exposed to an STD. I wanted to give you the opportunity to come in and get tested. What time today (or tomorrow) can you come into the clinic?
There isn’t anything wrong with me. I went to the doctor just last week.
What prompted you to go see your doctor? What tests were performed and what treatment was received?
“Like I said, I feel fine. I don’t see what the big deal is. I noticed a sore last month, but now it’s gone. Can’t this just go away on its own?”
Thomas, even though you may feel fine and not notice any symptoms, syphilis can still cause a lot of damage. It may be present in your body for several years with no symptoms, but if left untreated, syphilis can severely damage your heart, eyes, brain, and nervous system. It is important that you get treated as soon as possible.
“Wow, that all sounds very serious. Is treatment painful? Am I going to need a bunch of shots?”
I’m glad to hear that you want to receive treatment. Most likely, you’ll only need one shot of an antibiotic. When can you visit the local STD clinic to receive treatment?
“I don’t know about that. I’m scared of needles, and I really don’t want my parents finding out about this. I’m not sure what to do.”
Thomas, syphilis is a serious health problem. To protect your health and your partners’ health, it is important that you receive treatment. The doctors at the clinic will take great care of you, and all of this will stay confidential - nobody else will find out.
What is the interview period for Chlamydia and gonorrhea cases?
Symptomatic -
60 days before onset of symptoms through date of treatment
Asymptomatic -
60 days before date of specimen collection, through date of treatment if patient was not treated at time specimen was collected
Who should receive treatment in chlamydia / gonorrhea investigation
Anyone who has tested positive
Anyone who was a sexual partner of an infected person during the 60 days prior to symptoms –> treatment should be presumptively treated, along with testing and evaluation
S/S Chlamydia
Most are asymptomatic
- Pain or burning during urination
- Rectal pain or discharge
Women:
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Pain or bleeding during intercourse
- Bleeding between menstrual periods
- Nausea
- Fever
- Lower back / abdominal pain
Men:
- Urethral discharge
- Urethritis
S/S Gonorrhea
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Rectal discharge
- Anal itching, soreness, or bleeding
- Painful bowel soreness and bleeding
Women:
- increased vaginal discharge
- vaginal bleeding between periods
Men:
- white, yellow, or green discharge from penis
- painful or swollen testicles
Bacteria that causes gonorrhea
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae
What are the complications from untreated chlamydia?
Women:
- PID
- Poor birth outcomes
- Infertility
Men:
- Epididymitis
What are the complications from untreated gonorrhea?
Women:
- PID
- Infertility
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Chronic Pain
Men:
- Epididymitis
- Can spread to other organs
- Urethral scarring which causes difficulty urinating + infertility
Where to test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
Men:
- Urethral swab
- Urine
Women:
- Vaginal swab
Rectal and oropharyngeal swabs if infected at those locations.
- Oro swabs may report chlamydia during gonorrhea testing because some NAAts detect both bacteria from a single specimen
How can chlamydia and gonorrhea be spread?
- Sex (vaginal, oral, or anal)
- Mother to baby during childbirth
Bacteria that causes chlamydia
Chlamydia trachomatis
Bacteria that causes syphilis
Treponema Pallidum
How is syphilis Spread?
- Direct contact with a syphilis sore (chancre).
- Pregnant people with syphilis can transmit the infection to their unborn child (bacteria that causes syphilis can cross the placenta)
Can occur in / around penis, vagina, anus, rectum, lips or mouth
What is the term for a baby born with syphilis?
Congenital Syphilis