Sexually Transmitted Infections – Obstetric Nursing

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing pathogens, symptoms, complications, obstetric considerations, and treatments for major sexually transmitted infections covered in the lecture.

Chlamydia trachomatis

Bacterial STI with a 1–3 week incubation; frequently asymptomatic; may cause urethritis, dysuria, watery/cloudy penile discharge in men and mucopurulent cervical discharge in women.

Chlamydia complications

Untreated infection can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and ectopic pregnancy; newborns are at risk for conjunctivitis acquired during birth.

Chlamydia treatment

Doxycycline 100 mg orally every 12 h for 7 days OR a single 1 g oral dose of azithromycin; medication is compatible with breastfeeding.

Neonatal ocular prophylaxis

All newborns receive prophylactic ophthalmic ointment to prevent chlamydial conjunctivitis and gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Bacterial STI; incubation 2–10 days (up to 30); men often have yellowish penile discharge and dysuria, whereas women are frequently asymptomatic or present with mucopurulent discharge and abnormal menses.

Gonorrhea systemic spread

Disseminated infection can inflame joints, meninges, or endocardium and may cause PID, infertility, or ectopic pregnancy.

Gonorrhea treatment

Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) 500 mg IM single dose; safe to continue breastfeeding.

Ophthalmia neonatorum

Severe gonococcal conjunctivitis in newborns acquired during delivery that can lead to blindness without prompt prophylaxis.

Treponema pallidum

Spirochete bacterium that causes syphilis; incubation 3–90 days and capable of crossing the placenta (TORCH infection).

Syphilis primary stage

Characterized by a painless chancre at the site of inoculation.

Syphilis secondary stage

Presents with a diffuse rash and flu-like symptoms as the infection becomes systemic.

Syphilis tertiary stage

Late stage marked by gummas and serious cardiovascular or central nervous system damage.

Syphilis treatment

Penicillin G 2.4 million units IM single dose (three weekly doses for tertiary disease); breastfeeding permitted if no breast lesions are present.

Trichomonas vaginalis

Protozoan STI; incubation 4–28 days; women may have vulvar itching, "strawberry cervix," and foul discharge, while men are usually asymptomatic.

Trichomoniasis complications

Increases risk for HIV acquisition, preterm delivery, and low-birth-weight infants; organism can persist dormant and be transmitted non-sexually.

Trichomoniasis treatment

Metronidazole (Flagyl) 2 g orally single dose; breastfeeding should be paused for 12–24 h after taking medication.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)

Viral STI with 2 day–2 week incubation; initial outbreak includes flu-like symptoms followed by painful vesicular ulcers that heal without scarring; virus becomes lifelong in nerve ganglia.

HSV obstetric management

Cesarean delivery is recommended if active genital lesions are present at labor; acyclovir/valacyclovir suppression is begun late in pregnancy; breastfeeding allowed if no breast lesions.

HSV treatment

Acyclovir 200 mg orally every 4 h (five doses daily) for 7 days OR valacyclovir 2 g orally twice; therapy relieves symptoms but does not cure infection.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Viral infection with 1–6 month incubation producing genital warts and strains linked to oral, anal, rectal, cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and penile cancers.

HPV prevention

Prophylaxis with the Gardasil vaccine (2-dose series); not administered during pregnancy but compatible with breastfeeding.

HPV treatment

External genital warts can be removed via cryotherapy, cautery, or surgical excision.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)

Blood-borne virus with 1.5–6 month incubation causing liver inflammation, flu-like symptoms, jaundice, dark urine, and elevated liver enzymes.

Hepatitis B complications

Chronic infection may progress to cirrhosis, hepatic failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, coma, and death.

HBV perinatal prevention

Infants of infected mothers receive hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and first HBV vaccine dose immediately after birth; breastfeeding is allowed once immunoprophylaxis is given.

HBV prophylaxis/vaccine

Exposure managed with HBIG IM; routine prevention via 2–3-dose HBV vaccine series.

TORCH infections

A group of perinatal infections (Toxoplasmosis, Other—such as syphilis, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes) capable of crossing the placenta and causing serious congenital anomalies.