STI overview Flashcards
How are sexual health clinics organised?
Sexual health clinics are comissioned by local authorities.
In the majority of area this bid is won by NHS services
However in some areas private companies won the bid
All services private or NHS are free to access (even if do not qualify for NHS treatment).
What is the deal with sexual health clinics and confidentiality to rest of medical world?
Confidential
Can give a false name is they want to
IT system is not linked to hospital or community records
What is an index patient in an SHC?
The patient diagnosed with the STI
What are the different methods for informing patient sexual partners after the patient has been diagnosed with an STI?
Patient self contact - check this by seeing if entered SHC
Provider referral - SHC makes contact with patients consent, level of information shared must be agreed on
Contract - patient given a certain amount of time to inform partners if they can, then gives consent for provider referall
In a provider referall for a sexual health clinc what information will the recipient be given?
- NOT be given the patients name
- With patient consent may be given the name of the STI
- Will be contacted by their local SHC regardless of where the patient entered the system
How do patients access the sexual health clinic?
80% self referall by phone or online
Recommendations from other health professionals or friends
Formal referalls from doctor
For patient with complex needs such as lots of medication or co-morbidities it is useful to request contact with GP for health records
If patient younger than 13yrs will be referred to paediatrics
All patients are then triaged equally
What will a sexual health clinic normally see you for?
Screening, prevention and treatment of STIs
Recurrent vaginal discharge
Recurrent genital itching
genital bumps, rashes/
Emergency and on-going contraceptives
Some services may see…
- pelvic, testicular or genital chronic pain
- sexual dysfunction
- chronic HIV care
- care of trans individual before, during and after genital reassignment surgery
What other members of the MDT may sexual health clinics work with?
Public Health
Infectious diseases
Gynecologists
What groups of people tend to have a higher prevalence of STIs?
Under 25yrs
Biological male who have sex with a biological male
How often is STI testing recommended?
Why?
Every three months
All STIs can be asymptomatic
- recommend more often if irregular sexual partner
What are the trends in chlamydia diagnosis patterns?
Most common in under 30s
Large peak in early 20s
More common in females
What are the trends in syphilis diagnosis over time?
Becoming more common
Signficantly more common and higher numbers in males
What are the main sources of sexual education?
Schools
Peers/friends
What are the key points in a sexual history?
Reason for attendance - symptoms and duration is relevant
Sexual contacts - regular and casual, information about any STIs they have, the gender of these contacts
Sexual practise - condom, oral/anal etc
Past history of STIs
Recent antibiotics and allergies
Medical and gynaecological history
What are the most common presenting complaints in a sexual health clinic?
Urethral discharge
Pain when urinating
Vaginal discharge
Genital ulcers/sores
Lumps
What is the GMC guidance for intimate examinations?
Offer chaperones for all exams
Obtain consent before examination
Keep discussion relevant
Explain why the exam is relevant and what it involves
Give patient privacy to dress and undress
What happens during a genital exam?
Only done if required
Undress below the waist and given something for modesty
Examine from mons pubis to natal cleft including the inguinal region
Females often in lithotomy position, may have a speculum exam and a bimanual exam (laterally palpate the lateral fornices)
What is involved in a typical STI check for men?
Urine test
Rectal and throat swabs in having sex with another man
Blood test for HIV and syphilis
Based on any symptoms may require a physical examination
Often ask patient to take their own swabs - often collect more than a health care professional would