a. Etiology. Included are the following:
(1)
Pelvic vascular thrombosis.
(2)
Leukemia.
(3) Sickle cell disease (red cells roughen, becoming sickle-shaped resulting
in chronic ill health).
(4)
Pelvic injuries.
(5)
Inflammation or infection of the genitalia.
b. Signs and Symptoms. As noted in the definition:
(1)
Continuous erection unaccompanied by sexual desire.
(2)
Pain.
c. Treatment. Refer the patient to a physician for assessment of the underlying
cause and symptomatic treatment.
1-8.
PHIMOSIS/PARAPHIMOSIS
Phimosis is a tightness of the foreskin so that it cannot be pulled back over the
penis. Paraphimosis, on the other hand, is a tightness of the foreskin which, once the
foreskin has been pulled back, will not allow the foreskin to return to its normal position
over the glans. In either case signs of infection may be present. Treatment may be
either circumcision or preliminary dorsal slit.
Section II. DISEASES/DISORDERS OF THE FEMALE GENITALIA
1-9.
VAGINITIS
Vaginitis is inflammation of the vagina.
a. Etiology. Vaginitis is a common gynecologic disorder which is characterized
by a distressing, often whitish, non-bloody discharge due to inflammation of the vagina.
In adults, the vaginal discharge is usually secondary to an infection of the lower
reproductive tract. Protozoa, notably Trichomonas vaginalis, are responsible for one
third of the vaginitis cases. Candida albicans is a type of fungus which is a frequent
cause of vaginitis in women who are either pregnant or who are diabetic. Other causes
of vaginitis include bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Staphylocci, and foreign bodies.
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