Sexually Transmitted Diseases/HIV/AIDS

Who’s most at risk for moniliasis/candidiasis (yeast infection)?

history of diabetes, immunocompromised, contraceptive use, antibiotic use, pregnancy

What is the cause of moniliasis/candidiasis (yeast infection)?

having a low vaginal pH

what are some ways a yeast infection (moniliasis/candidiasis) can be treated?

Fluconazole PO, intravaginal boric acid, nystatin, flucytosine

Who is often asymptomatic when diagnosed with gonorrhea?

Women

what are some cues for gonorrhea?

green/yellow/white urethral drainage, dysuria, pain in both testicles, vaginal bleeding in between menstrual cycles

In the patient with gonorrhea, which disease are they vulnerable to?

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

If gonorrhea goes untreated, what could happen to the patient?

infertility

what type of treatment do we use for gonorrhea?

antibiotics: cefixime PO w/azithromycin

If a patient with gonorrhea has developed PID, what type of treatment do we use?

antibiotics; doxycycline w/cefixime

after a gonorrhea patient has completed treatment, what is the most important thing a nurse can teach this patient?

Risk for transmission and reinfection; No sex for a week after treatment

who should be screened for gonorrhea annually?

gay/bisexual males

If a patient is diagnosed with gonorrhea, which disease are likely to test positive for?

chlamydia

what type of culture can we collect to diagnose gonorrhea?

urine culture

what are some symptoms for herpes?

fluid filled vesicles that turn into painful ulcers, body aches, fever, headaches

what are prodromal manifestations of herpes and what do they tell us?

the patient will feel localized pain/tingling, which is where the lesions will appear

How is herpes treated?

No cure; requires antiviral therapy w/acyclovir

what is our goal for treating herpes?

preventing/delaying recurrence, preventing transmission

If the herpes strain is resistant to acyclovir, what else can we use?

Foscavir

A woman diagnosed with herpes is at risk for…

cervical cancer, so she should get an annual Pap smear

which type of virus is responsible for the onset of herpes?

HSV type 2

All patients with herpes are at risk for a rare disease called…

meningitis

What should the teach a herpes patient about intercourse?

no sexual contact when active lesions are present. if no lesions are present, use protection

how long should the herpes patient wait to have sex?

10 days after the last lesion heals

What type of HSV causes oral symptoms?

type 1

what type of HSV causes genital symptoms?

type 2

whose most at risk for contracting herpes?

blacks and females

Which screening tests are used for syphilis?

VDRL and RPR

which test confirms syphilis?

FTA-ABS

how do we treat primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis?

one dose of penicillin G. benzathine in the buttocks

how is late latent, and tertiary syphilis treated?

3 doses of penicillin G. benzathine in the buttocks

after the syphilis patient is treated, how long should the patient wait to have sex?

one month after treatment

True or false; if a patient was diagnosed with syphilis, their partner needs to be treated as well

True

if a syphilis patient is allergic to penicillin, what can we use?

tetracycline

what are some symptoms of trichomoniasis in women?

malodorous (bad) odor, burning and redness at the vulva, clear white and frothy drainage

what are some symptoms of trichomoniasis in men?

penis irritation/itchiness, burning after urination and ejaculation, penile discharge

what warning should a nurse give a trichomoniasis patient?

this disease lives on towels

What are some symptoms of chlamydia?

post-coital bleeding (bleeding after sex), discomfort in one testicle, dysuria/frequency vaginal drainage/bleeding, pelvic pain

how do we treat chlamydia?

antibiotic: Azithromycin, no sex for a week to prevent transmission

who needs to be screened annually for chlamydia?

sexually active females under the age of 25, people over 25 with new/multiple partners

How does HIV progress to AIDS?

CD4 count drops below 200, opportunistic infections occur

In treating HIV, what is our priority?

maintain an undetectable viral load, prevent transmission, maintain normal CD4 count

what qualifies as an undetectable viral load?

40-75 mL of blood

What do we give to people who have been exposed to HIV?

Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

how would a nurse explain post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to a patient?

“this is a 4 week, anti-viral treatment that can prevent infection and transmission”

how soon should a patient receive PEP?

within 72 hours of exposure

How will a nurse explain antiretroviral therapy (ART) to an HIV patient?

“this will reduce your risk of developing an opportunistic infection. it will also reduce your viral load”

what are the two AIDs defining opportunistic infections?

PCP Pneumonia and Karposi Sarcoma

What is our priority for our AIDs patients?

decrease symptoms and slow the decomposition rate

this patient is asymptomatic with a CD4 count greater than 500. they have a low viral load and minor flu-like symptoms. which HIV/AIDs category are they in?

Category A: Early Infection

this patient has a CD4 count between 200 and 499. they are experiencing an infection and their flu-like symptoms are become more profound. What HIV/AIDS category are they in?

Category B: Intermediate Infection

this patient has a CD4 count less than 200. They have developed an opportunistic infection. What HIV/AIDs category are they in?

Category C: Late Infection

What test is used to confirm the status of an HIV infection?

Western Bolt

What do we give AIDs patients who are at risk of being exposed to HIV?

PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis)