Treatments for Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Treatments of Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the treatments of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

Vaginal Discharge: Treatment
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

• See most recent CDC guidelines for all STDs
• Trichomonas
  –Metronidazole single dose or for 7 days (avoid alcohol with metronidazole use)
  –Intravaginal clotrimazole if pregnant or unable to use metronidazole

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Vaginal Discharge: Treatment
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

• Physiologic leukorrhea: Provide reassurance
• Irritative vaginal discharge: Educate on proper wiping techniques, avoidance of tight clothing and irritants
• Foreign bodies such as toilet paper can usually be removed with gentle vaginal lavage, sitz baths
• Treatments for infectious causes of vaginal discharge:
  –Bacterial vaginosis: Metronidazole or topical clindamycin
  –Candida can be treated with topical or oral antifungals
  –Trichomonas is treated with metronidazole
  –Group A β-hemolytic streptococci: Penicillin
  –Chlamydia is treated with doxycycline or azithromycin
  –Gonorrhea: Ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, or ofloxacin
  –Shigella is treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
  • Encourage barrier contraception in sexually active adolescents

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Genital lesions in the male: Patient counseling
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

Explain to the patient how to use prescribed ointments or creams. Advise him to use a heat lamp to dry moist lesions or to take sitz baths to relieve crusting and itching. Also, instruct him to report any changes in the lesions.

Explain to male patients that condoms effectively prevent many STDs when used correctly. Advise them to use a new condom for each coitus; to avoid damaging the condom with a sharp object, such as fingernails or teeth; to put the condom on the erect penis before any genital contact; to use only water-based lubricants; to hold the condom firmly while withdrawing the penis; to always withdraw the penis while it’s still erect to avoid premature condom loss; and to check the expiration date on the individual condom packet. Teach the patient that hormonal contraceptives, diaphragms, foams, and jellies don’t protect against STDs.

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Genital lesions in the male: Patient counseling
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

Explain to the patient how to use prescribed ointments or creams. Advise him to use a heat lamp to dry moist lesions or to take sitz baths to relieve crusting and itching. Also, instruct him to report any changes in the lesions.

Explain to male patients that condoms effectively prevent many STDs when used correctly. Advise them to use a new condom for each coitus; to avoid damaging the condom with sharp objects, such as fingernails or teeth; to put the condom on the erect penis before any genital contact; to use only water-based lubricants; to hold the condom firmly while withdrawing the penis; to always withdraw the penis while it’s still erect to avoid premature condom loss; and to check the expiration date on the individual condom packet. Instruct the patient that hormonal contraceptives, diaphragms, foams, and jellies don’t protect against STDs.

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Vaginal discharge: Patient counseling
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

Teach the patient to keep her perineum clean and dry. Also, tell her to avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing and nylon underwear and to instead wear cotton-crotched underwear and pantyhose. If appropriate, suggest that the patient douche with a solution of 5 tbs of white vinegar to 2 qt (2 L) of warm water to help relieve her discomfort.

If the patient has a vaginal infection, tell her to continue taking the prescribed medication even if her symptoms clear or she menstruates. Also, advise her to avoid intercourse until her symptoms clear and then to have her partner use condoms until she completes her course of medication. If her condition is sexually transmitted, instruct her on safer sex methods.

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Vaginal discharge: Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

▪ Obtain cultures of the vaginal discharge.

▪ Give antibiotics, antivirals, or other drugs, as ordered.

▪ Observe standard precautions to prevent the spread of infection.

Patient teaching

▪ Explain to the patient the cause of vaginal discharge and its treatment.

▪ Teach the patient proper perineal hygiene and advise her to avoid tight-fitting clothing and nylon underwear.

▪ Suggest douching with vinegar and warm water to help relieve discomfort, if appropriate.

▪ Tell the patient to continue taking prescribed drugs even if her symptoms clear.

▪ Advise the patient to avoid intercourse until symptoms resolve.

▪ Provide information on safer sex practices.

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Genital lesions, male: Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

▪ Screen every patient with penile lesions for STDs, using the dark-field examination and the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test.

▪ Prepare the patient for a biopsy to confirm or rule out penile cancer if indicated.

▪ Provide emotional support, especially if cancer is suspected.

▪ To prevent cross-contamination, wash your hands before and after every patient contact.

▪ Wear gloves when handling urine or performing catheter care.

▪ Dispose of all needles carefully, and double-bag all material contaminated by secretions.

Patient teaching

▪ Explain to the patient the use of creams and ointments.

▪ Discuss methods to reduce crusting and itching.

▪ Emphasize the lesion changes the patient should report.

▪ Discuss and teach the proper use of condoms and safer sex practices.

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Unlabelled alternative drug treatments include:

• Rocephin
• Amcel
• Benaxona
• Cefaxona
• Ceftrex
• Tacex
• Terbac
• Triaken
• Ceftriaxone

Medical news summaries about treatments for Sexually Transmitted Diseases:

The following medical news items are relevant to treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases:

• Cranberries provide possible treatment for genital herpes virus type II
• Cranberries provide possible treatment for herpes virus type II
• Erectile dysfunction drug linked to high risk sexual practice
• Gel may reduce need for surgery to treat cervical cancer
• Herpes vaccine trial is about to begin

Discussion of treatments for Sexually Transmitted Diseases:

STDs and Pregnancy: DSTD (Excerpt)

Can STDs be treated during pregnancy?
Bacterial STDs (like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) can be treated and cured with antibiotics during pregnancy.  There is no cure for viral STDs such as genital herpes and HIV, but antiviral medication for herpes and HIV may reduce symptoms in the pregnant woman.  In addition, the risk of passing HIV infection from mother to baby is dramatically reduced by treatment.  For women who have active genital herpes lesions at the time of delivery, a cesarean section may be performed to protect the newborn against infection. (Source: excerpt from STDs and Pregnancy: DSTD)

Sexually Transmitted Diseases, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID (Excerpt)

When diagnosed and treated early, many STDs can be treated effectively. Some infections have become resistant to the drugs used to treat them and now require newer types of antibiotics. Experts believe that having STDs other than AIDS increases one's risk for becoming infected with the AIDS virus. (Source: excerpt from Sexually Transmitted Diseases, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)

Sexually Transmitted Diseases, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID (Excerpt)

Anyone diagnosed as having an STD should:

• Be treated to reduce the risk of transmitting an STD to an infant.
• Discuss with a doctor the possible risk of transmission in breast milk and whether commercial formula should be substituted.
• Notify all recent sex partners and urge them to get a checkup.
• Follow the doctor's orders and complete the full course of medication prescribed. A follow-up test to ensure that the infection has been cured is often an important step in treatment.
• Avoid all sexual activity while being treated for an STD.

Sometimes people are too embarrassed or frightened to ask for help or information. Most STDs are readily treated, and the earlier a person seeks treatment and warns sex partners about the disease, the less likely the disease will do irreparable physical damage, be spread to others or, in the case of a woman, be passed on to a newborn baby. (Source: excerpt from Sexually Transmitted Diseases, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)

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