Genitourinary Flashcards
what is chlamydia?
Urogenital chlamydia infection is a common sexually transmitted infection
The causative organism is Chlamydia trachomatis. Infection is usually asymptomatic in both men and women
what are the symptoms of chlamydia?
often asymptomatic
can have cervical discharge, friable cervix, abnormal vaginal bleeding, penile discharge, vaginal discharge
what are the investigations for chlamydia?
nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) - non invasive sampling (urine or vaginal) is as effective as invasive sampling (vaginal, endocervical or penile urethral swab)
how is chlamydia treated?
azithromycin
or
doxycycline (should not be used in pregnant women)
what are the complications of chlamydia?
epididymitis reactive arthritis ophthalmia neonatorum chlamydia pneumonia ectopic pregnancy infertility cervical cancer PID
what is the screening programme for chlamydia?
in England the National Chlamydia Screening Programme is open to all men and women aged 15-24 years
the 2009 SIGN guidelines support this approach, suggesting screening all sexually active patients aged 15-24 years
relies heavily on opportunistic testing
what is bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) describes an overgrowth of predominately anaerobic organisms such as Gardnerella vaginalis. This leads to a consequent fall in lactic acid producing aerobic lactobacilli resulting in a raised vaginal pH.
is BV an STI?
Whilst BV is not a sexually transmitted infection it is seen almost exclusively in sexually active women.
what are the clinical features of BV?
vaginal discharge - fishy and offensive
asymptomatic in half
what is the criteria for diagnosis BV?
Amsel’s criteria
3 of the following 4 points should be present
- thin, white homogenous discharge
- clue cells on microscopy - stippled vaginal epithelial cells
- vaginal pH >4.5
- positive whiff test (addition of potassium hydroxide results in fishy odour)
how is BV managed?
oral metronidazole for 5-7 days
70-80% initial cure rate
relapse rate >50% within 3 months
clindamycin intravaginal cream can be used
what are the problems of BV in pregnancy ?
results in an increased risk of preterm labour, low birth weight and chorioamnionitis, late miscarriage
it was previously taught that oral metronidazole should be avoided in the first trimester and topical clindamycin used instead. Recent guidelines however recommend that oral metronidazole is used throughout pregnancy. The BNF still advises against the use of high dose metronidazole regimes
what is candidiasis?
thrush
a type of vaginitis
caused by a yeast like fungus
very common
what are some predisposing factors to thrush?
immunosuppression antibiotics pregnancy DM anaemia
what are the symptoms of thrush?
may be asymptomatic but usually presents with
- vulval itching and soreness
- thick, curd like white vaginal discharge
- dysuria
- superficial dyspareunia
how is thrush diagnosed?
characteristic appearance of: vulval and vaginal erythema, vulval fissuring, typical whit plaques adherent to the vaginal wall.
Culture from HVS or LVS
microscopic detection of spores and pseudohypae on wet slides
how is thrush treated?
should only be treated if symptomatic
clotrimazole pessary
Fluconazole oral
what are some risk factors for STIs
multiple partners (two or more in the last year)
concurrent partners
recent partner change
non-use of barrier protection
STI in partner
younger age particularly <25
involvement in the commercial sex industry
what is genital herpes?
Genital herpes is caused by infection with either HSV-1 or HSV-2
Sexual contact passes infection to the patient
third most common STI in England
what are the symptoms of herpes simplex virus?
prodrome (tingle/itching of the skin in affected area)
flu-like illness +/= inguinal lymphadenopathy
vulvitis and pain
small characteristic vesicles on the vulva, but can be atypical with fissures, erosions, erythema of the skin
recurrent attacks are thought to result from reactivation of the latent virus in the sacral ganglia and are normally shorter and less severe