Sexual health Flashcards
Describe the microbiology of chlamydia trachomatis
intracellular gram-negative bacteria
How is chlamydia transmitted
vertical transmission`
sexual contact
Give 3 RFs for chlamydia
- under 25
- new/multiple sexual partners
- not using condoms
Give 4 ways chlamydia may present in women
asymptomatic (70%)
* abnormal vaginal discharge - cloudy/ yellow
* pelvic pain
* dysuria
* post coital/intermenstrual bleeding
Give 4 ways chlamydia may present in men
asymptomatic (50%)
* urethral discharge
* dysuria
* testicular pain
How is chlamydia diagnosed
- nucelic acid amplification test (NAAT) - first catch urine (men) and vulvovaginal swab (women)
- test for lymphogranuloma venereum in MSM with rectal chlamydia
How is chlamydia managed in men and non pregnant women
- doxycycline 100mg orally BD for 7d
How is chlamydia managed in a pregnant woman
Any of:
* azithromycin 1g stat then 500mg oral OD for 2 days
* erythromycin
* amoxicillin 500mg oral TDS for 7d
What advice should be given to patients with chlamydia
- no sex for 1 week
- refer to GUM for contact tracing
- leaflet on condition
Give 5 complications of chlamydia
- epididymo-orchitis
- ectopic pregnancy
- reactive arthritis
- pelvic inflammatory disease
- infertility
When should a test of cure be done for chlamydia
after 6 weeks if pregnant or rectal infection
What type of bacteria is neisseria gonorrhoea
gram negative diplococcus
3 ways gonorrhoea may present in females
- odourless mucopurulent discharge (50%)
- pelvic pain
- dysuria
2 ways gonorrhoea may present in males
- mucopurulent discharge (80%)
- dysuria
2 investigations done for gonorrhoea
- NAAT
- charcoal swab for culture, microscopy and antibiotic sensitivities
- swabs in women should be taken from the vulvo-vaginal area
How is gonorrhoea managed
depends on whether antibiotic sensitivities are known
* first line: Single dose IM ceftriaxone 1g
* sensitive: single dose oral ciprofloxacin 500mg
Alternative: single dose oral cefixime + azithromycin
When is test of cure done for gonorrhoea
after a week for all people who have been treated
What is the most common cause of vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age
bacterial vaginosis
What is bacterial vaginosis
overgrowth of predominately anaerobic bacteria in the vagina
Describe the pathophysiology of bacterial vaginosis
- lactobacilli are the main component of the healthy vaginal flora
- lactobacilli produce lactic acid that keep the vag ph low (<4.5)
- loss of lactobacilli results in a raised vaginal pH which enables anaerobic bacteria to multiply
Give an example of an anaerobic bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis
Gardnerella vaginalis
Give 4 RFs for bacterial vaginosis
- multiple sexual partners
- excessive vaginal cleaning - douching, cleaning products
- recent antibiotics
- smoking
Describe the presentation of bacterial vaginosis
- half of women are asymptomatic
- grey-white discharge with characteristic fishy odour
How is bacterial vaginosis diagnosed
- vaginal pH >4.5
- positive whiff test(addition of KOH = fishy odour)
- thin,white homogenous discharge
- clue cells on microscopy
How is bacterial vaginosis managed
- asymptomatic: don’t usually require treatment unless undergoing termination
- symptomatic: oral metronidazole for 5-7 days or topical clindamycin
What advice should be given to patients when prescribing metronidazole and why
avoid alcohol for duration of treatment as together they can cause a disulfiram-like reaction
* N+V,flushing and in severe cases shock