STIs - Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Trichomoniasis, Chancroid, Syphilis, and HSV (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key concepts, pathogens, clinical signs, diagnostics, and treatments for major sexually transmitted infections discussed in the notes.

Gonorrhea

Sexually transmitted infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae; can present as cervicitis, urethritis, proctitis, or conjunctivitis; may ascend to cause endometritis, PID, infertility, or ectopic pregnancy.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Bacterial pathogen that causes gonorrhea.

Urethritis

Inflammation of the urethra; often presents with purulent discharge and dysuria in gonorrhea.

Cervicitis

Inflammation of the cervix; commonly presents with discharge in gonorrhea.

Proctitis

Inflammation of the rectum; can occur with gonorrhea, especially in certain populations.

Conjunctivitis

Infection of the conjunctiva; can be a gonorrheal manifestation, including in newborns.

Endometritis

Uterine infection that can result from ascending gonorrheal infection.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Infection of the female upper genital tract; can cause pelvic pain, discharge, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy.

Salpingitis

Inflammation of the fallopian tubes; a form of PID.

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome

Perihepatitis associated with gonococcal infection.

Infertility

Inability to conceive; a potential complication of pelvic infections like gonorrhea.

Ectopic pregnancy

Pregnancy implanted outside the uterus; risk increased after PID.

Epididymitis

Inflammation of the epididymis in men; can be caused by gonorrhea.

Orchitis

Inflammation of the testes; can be a complication of gonorrhea.

Urethral strictures

Narrowing of the urethra; possible gonorrheal complication.

Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI)

Gonorrhea with bacteremia; can cause migratory arthritis and dermatitis.

Gonococcal septic arthritis

Septic arthritis due to disseminated gonococcal infection.

NAAT

Nucleic acid amplification testing; preferred diagnostic test for gonorrhea (and chlamydia).

Gram stain

Microscopic test; rapid alternative for gonorrhea diagnosis at affected sites.

Culture

Laboratory test to grow Neisseria gonorrhoeae and assess antibiotic sensitivity.

Ceftriaxone

First-line cephalosporin antibiotic for gonorrhea; dose often 500 mg IM (1 g if >150 kg).

Cefixime

Oral cephalosporin alternative for gonorrhea if ceftriaxone is unavailable.

Gentamicin

Aminoglycoside used with azithromycin as an alternative in cephalosporin-allergic patients.

Azithromycin

Macrolide antibiotic; used to treat chlamydia and as adjunct in some gonorrhea regimens.

Chlamydia

Sexually transmitted infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis; often co-occurs with gonorrhea.

Chlamydia trachomatis

Bacterial pathogen causing chlamydia.

Urethritis (chlamydial)

Urethral infection due to Chlamydia trachomatis; may present with dysuria and discharge.

Cervicitis (chlamydial)

Cervical infection due to Chlamydia; may be asymptomatic.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (chlamydial)

PID caused by Chlamydia; can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy.

Reactive arthritis

Postinfectious arthritis associated with Chlamydia infection; may involve uveitis, conjunctivitis, and arthritis.

Strawberry cervix

Striking red cervix seen with Trichomonas infection.

Trichomonas vaginalis

Parasitic organism causing trichomoniasis, an STI.

Trichomoniasis

STI caused by Trichomonas vaginalis; presents with discharge and pruritus.

Saline wet mount

Microscopic diagnostic test for motile trichomonads in vaginal discharge.

Whiff test

KOH test that yields a fishy odor, supporting trichomoniasis diagnosis.

NAAT

Nucleic acid amplification testing; highly sensitive for Trichomonas and other STIs.

Metronidazole

First-line antibiotic for trichomoniasis.

Tinidazole

Alternative treatment for trichomoniasis.

Chancroid

Sexually transmitted infection caused by Haemophilus ducreyi; painful genital ulcers.

Haemophilus ducreyi

Bacterial agent causing chancroid.

Painful genital ulcer

Key sign of chancroid.

Inguinal lymphadenopathy

Enlarged inguinal lymph nodes; can accompany chancroid.

Buboes

Enlarged, suppurative inguinal lymph nodes; associated with chancroid (rare in US).

Chancroid diagnosis

Usually clinical; presumptive if ulcers and lymphadenopathy with negative tests for syphilis/HSV; can be confirmed with Gram stain, culture, or NAAT.

Chancroid treatment

Antibiotics: azithromycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, or erythromycin; treat partners.

Syphilis

Sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum; has primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary stages.

Treponema pallidum

Bacterial spirochete causing syphilis.

Chancre

Painless genital ulcer of primary syphilis.

Lymphadenopathy

Enlarged lymph nodes; common in primary syphilis.

RPR

Non-treponemal screening test for syphilis (rapid plasma reagin).

VDRL

Non-treponemal screening test for syphilis; used in diagnosis and monitoring.

FTA-ABS

Treponemal test to confirm syphilis infection.

Penicillin G benzathine

First-line antibiotic for primary syphilis; given as IM injection.

Doxycycline

Alternative therapy for syphilis in penicillin-allergic patients.

Neurosyphilis

Syphilis affecting the nervous system; can present with meningitis, stroke, or cranial nerve symptoms.

Argyll Robertson pupil

Pupil that constricts with accommodation but not with light; associated with neurosyphilis.

Tabes dorsalis

Dorsal column degeneration causing ataxia and proprioceptive loss in late syphilis.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV)

Virus causing oral and genital herpes; HSV-1 and HSV-2.

HSV-1

Typically causes orofacial herpes but can cause genital infections.

HSV-2

Typically causes genital herpes.

Genital herpes

Infection with HSV presenting as painful genital ulcers; recurrent episodes common.

Acyclovir

Antiviral used to treat herpes infections.

Valacyclovir

Oral prodrug of acyclovir; used to treat and suppress herpes.

PCR

Polymerase chain reaction; highly sensitive test for HSV and other STIs.

Tzanck test

Cytology test for multinucleated giant cells; less sensitive than PCR for HSV.