STD

The 10 points to remember are:

  1. Screen for all STDs (Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV, Hep B and Syphilis)
  2. No sex for 7 days after treatment has finished and symptoms resolved
  3. Contact tracing – for 6 months backward for chlamydia and 2 months for gonorrhoea. Recommend partner notification.
  4. No sex with partners from the last 2-6 months until the partners have been tested and treated if necessary (6 months for chlamydia)
  5. Review in 1 week – 4 things to do in this visit
    • review symptoms
    • review compliance with medications
    • review contact tracing
    • sex education with contraception and general health – HPV/CST,
  6. Inform public health: Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV, Hep B and Syphilis all carry madatory reporting requirements
  7. TOC (Test Of Cure) in specific groups
    1. In gonorrhoea for all patients other than urethral infection, test for cure in 2 weeks
    2. In chlamydia for all patients who are pregnant or have anal infections, TOC in 4 weeks
  8. Test for re-infection At 3 months in all patients who have had an STD.
  9. Window period retest – if the patient has had sex within the past six weeks repeat the STD check in 6-12 weeks
  10. Consider HIV PrEP for anyone diagnosed with gonorrhoea.

Providing non-pharmacological advice is crucial for patients diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). These recommendations focus on preventing the spread of the infection, managing symptoms, and maintaining overall health. Here are key points to discuss with a patient:

  1. Education and Awareness:
    1. Provide education about their specific STD, including transmission methods, symptoms, and long-term health implications, to empower the patient and reduce the stigma associated with STDs.
  2. Safe Sex Practices:
    1. Reinforce the importance of safe sex practices, including the consistent and correct use of condoms, to reduce the risk of transmitting or contracting STDs in the future.
    2. Educate about the use of dental dams or condoms during oral sex to reduce the risk of STD transmission.
  3. Avoid Alcohol and Drugs:
    1. Recommend avoiding excessive alcohol and drug use, as these can impair judgment and lead to risky sexual behaviors.
  4. Immune System Support:
    1. Advise on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management, to support the immune system.
  5. Coping with Symptoms
    1. For symptomatic relief (such as pain or itching), suggest over-the-counter remedies or home care methods as appropriate
  6. Mental and Emotional Support:
    1. STD diagnoses can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, or anxiety. Provide emotional support and consider referring the patient to a counselor or support group if needed.
  7. Abstinence from Sexual Activity:
    1. Advise abstaining from sexual intercourse or any sexual activity that involves genital contact until the completion of treatment and, if applicable, until symptoms have fully resolved to prevent the spread of the infection.
  8. Informing Sexual Partners:
    1. Encourage patients to inform all recent sexual partners about their STD so these individuals can also seek testing and treatment. This is crucial in preventing the spread and recurrence of STDs.
    2. https://letthemknow.org.au/ provides an anonymous way to do this.
  9. Personal Hygiene:
    1. Emphasize the importance of good personal hygiene but avoid excessive washing or douching, which can aggravate symptoms
    2. Advise against sharing towels, underwear, or other personal items that may harbor infectious agents.
  10. Follow-up Testing:
    1. Encourage follow-up testing as recommended by healthcare providers to ensure the infection has been fully treated and to screen for other STDs.
  11. Regular Health Check-ups:
    1. Encourage regular sexual health check-ups and screenings, especially if the patient has multiple sexual partners.
  12. Vaccination:
    1. For applicable STDs (like HPV), discuss vaccination options with the patient for future protection.

Providing comprehensive non-pharmacological advice is a vital part of managing STDs. It helps in the effective treatment of the current infection and plays a significant role in preventing future infections.