b. Information From the Patient. Obtain this information from the patient.
(1)
Ask when was the last time the patient had a venereal disease.
(2)
Ask when the patient last had a serologic test for syphilis and the results
of that test.
(3)
Request a list of the patient's sexual contacts.
(4) Ask for address, phone number, place of employment, and any other
pertinent information regarding these sexual contacts. Get complete locating
information. Refer to these contacts without references to gender.
2-17. MOTIVATION FOR THE CONTACT INTERVIEW
a. Stress the spread of the disease and possible reinfection. There are carriers
of sexually transmitted diseases who appear healthy but who do spread sexually
transmitted diseases.
b. Stress the course of gonorrhea and syphilis in men and women and the late
manifestations of these diseases.
c. Explain congenital transmission. (Be very careful at this point if the patient is
a pregnant female.)
2-18. PREVENTION OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (SIDs)
Follow these guidelines to reduce your chance of contracting a sexually
transmitted disease and to prevent spreading that disease if you do contract it.
a. Be Informed. Know the signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted
diseases. You can then refrain from sex with a partner showing any signs/symptoms of
SIDs. Additionally, if you see such signs/symptoms in yourself, you can seek medical
treatment at once.
b. Be Observant. Look at yourself and your sexual partner. If either of you has
a sore or blister, the infected person should not have sex but seek medical treatment.
c. Be Selective. The more sex partners you have, the greater chance you have
of becoming infected with a sexually transmitted disease. Sex with someone you do not
know is also hazardous. Select your sexual partner carefully.
d. Be Honest. Tell those with whom you have had sex recently if you are
diagnosed as having STD. This allows your partner to watch for symptoms and/or to be
tested.
MD0580
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