10.1 Reproductive Tract Infections Flashcards
Give 3 broad ways in which you can acquire an RTI
1) STIs
2) Endogenous
3) Iatrogenic
Give 6 types of STI related RTIs
1) Gonorrhoea
2) Chlamydia Trachomatis
3) Trichomoniasis
4) Genital Herpes, HPV (warts)
5) Syphillis
6) HIV
Give 4 sources of Iatrogenic RTIs
1) transcervical procedure
2) termination of pregnancy
3) postpartum infections
4) Intrauterine devices
5) improper sterilised equipment
Give 4 sources of endogenous RTIs
1) Candida albicans
2) BV
3) overgrowth of organisms normally found in vagina
4) Sexual transmission +/-
Give 3 reasons for the dramatic rise in cases of STI recently?
1) less stigma around getting tested
2) more public awareness
3) screening programmes
4) changing in sexual practices (introduction of the pill)
5) increased partners (more “casual relationships”)
Give 4 risk factors for STI’s
- young people <25
- mutiple partners
- pregnancy before 20 years
- vertical transmission from mother to baby
- preveous history of STI
- unprotected intercourse
Others: alchol, recreational drug use, I/V drug users, commercial sex workers
Explain how you would take someone sexual history if you suspect an STI, include what questions should be asked
- *HPC ➞** SOCRATES or similar
1) Pain: ask about dyspareunia and check for dysuria
2) Discharge: colour, consistency, smell, bleeding
3) Skin changes: lumps or bumps seen or felt, Itching/soreness
4) Systems review: fever, eye problems, joint pain, weight loss, malaises etc..
Detailed sexual history including:
- Last sexual intercourse .
- type of sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral, anal)
- contraception use (barrier, hormonal, none)
- details of partner/s in past 3 months (gender, casual/long-term, traceable/non- traceable, multiple)
- history of previous STI/PID in themselves or partner
- travel h/o, risk for BBV
- date of last smear
What is meant by the “Iceberg effect”?
Very few of the cases actually present due to the high rate of asymptomatic infection
What is the lay persons term used to describe Vulvovaginal Candidiasis?
Thrush
What bacteria causes Vulvovaginal Candidiasis and how does it present?
Candida albicans presents with:
- Profuse, white, curd-like discharge
- vaginal itch, discomfort and erythema
- inflammation can lead to dysuria and dyspareunia
Give 4 risk factors for aquiring Candida (SOAP)
- antibiotics
- oral contraceptives
- pregnancy
- obesity
- steroids
- diabetes
How would you diagnose and treat vulvovaginal candidiasis?
Diagnosis: high vaginal swab for microscopy and culture
Treatment: topical azolesornystatin (antibiotics) OR oral fluconazole (anti-fungal)
What is the normal flora in the vagina and what is its function?
How can disruption lead to development of BV?
In a normal healthy vagina the predominant bacteria is lactobacillus, which metabolises the glycogen to produce lactic acid. This maintains the normal vagina pH at around 4.5.
When this normal flora is disturbed the predominant bacteria now becomes the Gardnerella vaginalis. As this does not metabolise glycogen the pH rises leading to development of BV
Give a common risk factor for development of BV and state how does it present?
Risk factor: excessive washing with soap around the vulvovaginal area
Presentation: increase in discharge (white or grey) that is thin a homogenous with a distinct fishy odour (no pain/itching)
What criteria is used to diagnose BV and what does this incl
How would you treat?
Diagnose using AMSEL’S CRITERIA: 3 out of 4 required
- Vaginal fluid ph >4.5
- Release of fishy odour on adding alkali (10% KOH) –whiff test
- Thin, white homogenous discharge
- Clue cells on microscopy of wet mount
Treatment: Metronidazole oral for 5-7 days (no need to treat partner)
What is Trichomonas vaginalis
Give the most common clinical features in males and females
Trichomonas vaginalis is an STI
Female: 10-50% asymptomatic
- classical thin, frothy, offensive discharge (yellow/green)
- vulvo-vaginitis
- dysuria and dyspareunia
- “strawberry cervix” (on speculum exam)
Male: 5-50% asymptomatic
- dysuria
- urinary frequency
- discharge
How is Trichomonas vaginalis diagnosed and treated?
Investigation
- Women: high vaginal swab or self-taken swabs.
- Men: urethral culture or culture of first void urine
Treatment: as per local guidelines
- usually a course of metronidazole
- refer to GUM for further testing
Give 3 potential complications of Trichomonas Vaginalis if it goes untreated during pregnancy
1) Preterm delivery
2) Low birth weight
3) Postpartum sepsis
What is a GUM clinic?
GUM clinic (Genito-Urinary Medicine) is an NHS. run clinic for all aspects of sexual health
What is the most common curable STI in the UK?
70% of all cases affect what age group?
Is screening availble?
Chlamydia trachomatis
70% of cases in under 25s
Screening available for the under 25s on request
Describe the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria
What parts of the body does it commonly affect?
What non-specific genital chlamydia infections can be caused in males and females?
Obligate intra-cellular bacterium: cannot synthesise its own ATP so must rely on the host cell. Has Serotypes D – K
Commonly affects the endocervix, urethra, rectum, pharynx (oral) and conjuctiva (eyes)
Can cause non-specific genital chlamydial infections:
- males: non-specific urethritis
- females: mucopurulent cervicitis