Aquifer Case HEEADSSS Approach To Adolescent Counseling

Aquifer Case HEEADSSS Approach to Adolescent Counseling

You are working with Dr. Sattovia today in her general medicine clinic. She asks you to evaluate Judy Pham, an 18-year-old female here for a pre-college physical.

You walk into the exam room and introduce yourself.

Ms. Pham tells you she lives at home with her parents and 15-year-old sister, although next month she will leave home for college and live in a dormitory. She is looking forward to some independence. She has never had a serious illness and feels “fine” now. She has no allergies and takes no medications. Her parents and grandparents are healthy, and the review of systems is negative.

TEACHING POINT

HEEADSSS Approach to Adolescent Counseling

The HEEADSSS approach to adolescent counseling addresses the main categories of Home/health, Education/employment, Eating disorders, Activities, Drugs, Sexuality, Safety/violence, and Suicide/depression. View examples of screening questions for the HEEADSSS history.

One of the nice qualities about the HEEADSSS approach is that it starts with less threatening issues and proceeds to more personal questions, so the interviewer has a chance to establish rapport before exploring sensitive, intrusive topics. Be sure to ask questions in a nonjudgmental way, and avoid questions that can be answered with “Okay” or with a “Yes/No” (i.e., “Do you get along with your mom and dad?”; “How are you doing in school?”; “Do you do drugs?”; “Are you sexually active?”).

Remember to avoid making assumptions about a teen’s behaviors. For example, don’t assume that your patient is heterosexual, sexually active, or even dating.

By using the HEEADSSS approach, you learn that Ms. Pham likes to go to movies, baseball games, and sometimes parties with her friends. At these parties there has been beer, and sometimes marijuana, which she tried once. She drinks beer once every few months, and has gotten drunk once. She does not smoke cigarettes. She has not had problems with sadness or depression. You then decide to move on to her sexual history.

“Are you dating anyone right now?” Aquifer Case HEEADSSS Approach to Adolescent Counseling

“Not with any one person. Mostly I hang out with groups of friends. I’ve never had a steady boyfriend, but I’d like to someday. I met a really nice guy at orientation last month, and he’ll be living in the same dorm as me. I’m hoping to get to know him better.”

“Have any of your relationships been sexual relationships?”

“I don’t think I’m ready for sex yet! I’m a little nervous about the whole thing.”

You tell Ms. Pham that when she thinks about becoming sexually active, you would be happy to discuss birth control options, and remind her that hormonal birth control methods are not a substitute for condoms in preventing sexually transmitted infections.

You think about other issues of safety that are important to address during a health maintenance visit.

Question – Aquifer Case HEEADSSS Approach to Adolescent Counseling

Which of the following questions are appropriate for addressing the issue of safety? Select all that apply.

The best options are indicated below. Your selections are indicated by the shaded boxes.

Do you always wear a seatbelt in the car, as a driver and a passenger?
Do you ever drink and drive?
Do you feel safe at home and school?
Do you wear a helmet when you go biking, skateboarding, or ride a four-wheeler?
Have you ever been physically abused in a relationship?
Have you ever ridden with a driver that was drunk or on drugs?
Have you ever witnessed violence?

SUBMIT

Answer Comment

> The correct answers are A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

The second “S” in HEADSS is for Safety/Violence. Examples of the types of questions you would ask include those listed in the answer choices above.

TEACHING POINT

Adolescent Interview—Safety

Violence

The leading causes of death in older adolescents are violent: suicide, injuries, and homicide. Bullying, family violence, sexual abuse, date rape, and school violence are all common. Data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) survey shows that in 2019, an average of 13% of high school students in the United States carried a weapon to school during the preceding 30 days. Family violence and dating violence cross all economic and social boundaries.

Injuries

For some teens, school violence and guns are the major risks, and in others, sports injuries and injuries from wheeled vehicles are more likely. It is important to address the use of seat belts and bike helmets with every adolescent.

Even though you address the safety issues most prevalent in the patient’s community first, do not skip any part of the history based on assumptions about the patient’s ethnic background or economic status.

Ms. Pham asks if she will need any shots before going away. You review her immunization records.

Ms. Pham has received:

2 doses of hepatitis A vaccines (complete)
3 doses hepatitis B vaccines (complete)
2 doses meningococcal vaccines (complete)
2 doses MMR vaccines (complete)
4 doses of Poliovirus vaccines (complete)
a tetanus-diphtheria (Td) booster (seven years ago)
2 doses of varicella vaccines (complete)

Question

What immunizations should she receive this year? Select all that apply.

The best options are indicated below. Your selections are indicated by the shaded boxes.

COVID-19
Haemophilus influenzae type b
Hepatitis B
Human papillomavirus
Influenza
Meningococcal
Pneumococcal
Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis
Varicella/chickenpox

SUBMIT

Answer Comment

> The correct answers are A, D, E, H.

CDC recommends everyone 5 years and older should get a COVID-19 vaccination to help protect against COVID-19. Ms. Pham is recommended to get an influenza vaccination on a yearly basis and is also in the right age range for human papillomavirus vaccination.

Since Ms. Pham had a Td vaccine over five years ago, a Tdap is recommended.

Ms. Pham has already been appropriately vaccinated with the Meningococcal, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis A and B vaccines.

Ms. Pham is not in the age range for Haemophilus Influenzae type b vaccination anymore.

Ms. Pham does not have any risk factors and does not fit the age range for the pneumonia vaccine.

TEACHING POINT

Vaccination Recommendations for Adolescents and Teenagers

Vaccine	Information
COVID-19	There are multiple manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccinations. Some are given in a two-shot series and some have approval for a third booster dose. They are highly effective at preventing COVID-19 and in preventing severe disease.
Haemophilus influenzae type b	Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine protects against meningitis, pneumonia, epiglottitis, and bacteremia in infants and young children, but it is not recommended after the age of five years.
Hepatitis A	Hepatitis A vaccination is effective in preventing hepatitis A virus infection. The series of two to three injections (depending on the type of vaccine) is recommended for adolescents if they did not receive them when younger.
Hepatitis B	Hepatitis B vaccination is effective in preventing hepatitis B virus infection and its sequelae of cirrhosis and hepatic carcinoma. The series of three injections is recommended for adolescents if they did not receive them when younger.
Human papillomavirus	There are two different human papillomavirus vaccines available. They vary in the number of strains of HPV they protect against, ranging from four to nine, and can prevent most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts. It is recommended for girls and females 9-26 years old.‎ The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends the use of the HPV vaccine in males 11 or 12 years of age. ACIP also recommends vaccination in males ages 13-21 who have not been vaccinated previously or who have not completed the three-dose series. ACIP states that males aged 22-26 years may be vaccinated, but does not recommend routine vaccination in this age group.
Influenza	The influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone who is at least six months old. It is usually administered in September through December when the influenza season is imminent.‎ The H1N1 strain, or “swine” influenza, the predominant strain circulating in the U.S. since 2009, has high rates of morbidity and mortality among children and adolescents.
Meningococcal	The meningococcal vaccine is given to prevent meningococcal meningitis. It is commonly given once at age 11-12 years during the routine preadolescent immunization visit with a booster dose at age 16 and is recommended for all previously unvaccinated adolescents aged 11-18 years.
MMR	MMR is recommended in adults who have not been previously vaccinated as children. An exception to this recommendation is the case of pregnant females, given concern for fetal transmission from a live virus vaccine.
Pneumococcal	The pneumococcal vaccine is indicated for adolescents with certain chronic health conditions, including immunocompromised state (including HIV, transplant status, and cancer), functional or anatomic asplenia, CSF leaks or cochlear implants, diabetes, and conditions of the heart, lung, and liver.
Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis	The tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. It contains acellular pertussis vaccine (ap), which is less reactogenic than the older whole-cell pertussis vaccine that caused high fever and neurologic symptoms when given to older children and adults. Tdap, which was licensed in 2005, is the first vaccine for adolescents and adults that protects against all three diseases.‎ Adolescents should receive a single dose of Tdap as a booster between the ages of 11 and 18, with the preferred timing between 11 and 12 years. If a patient has received a Td booster, then waiting at least five years between Td and Tdap is encouraged because the incidence of side effects is lower. ‎ The exception to this rule is the case of type III hypersensitivity reactions*, where one should wait 10 years between booster doses.
Varicella/chickenpox	The varicella vaccine series, which is a live virus vaccine, should be given to adolescents who have never had chickenpox or have not received the vaccine.‎ Two doses are required, with the first administered at 12-15 months of age and the second at 4-6 years of age. There is also a combination measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine (MMRV) available.

*Type III hypersensitivity reactions (Arthus reactions), which are characterized by immune complex deposition in blood vessels, can rarely be seen following receipt of vaccines containing tetanus toxoid or diphtheria toxoid. These reactions are characterized by severe pain, swelling, and sometimes necrosis at the injection site and occur between 4 and 12 hours following vaccination. It is recommended that patients who have had such a type III hypersensitivity reaction avoid receiving a tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine more frequently than every 10 years.

Dr. Sattovia and you review Ms. Pham’s immunization record.

You step out of the room to present Ms. Pham’s history to Dr. Sattovia.

You and Dr. Sattovia then return to the exam room and advise Ms. Pham that she should receive the Tdap booster and the influenza vaccine when it is available. Dr. Sattovia tells Ms. Pham about the HPV vaccine and gives her some information on the HPV vaccine to read.

Dr. Sattovia and you review Ms. Pham’s immunization record.

You step out of the room to present Ms. Pham’s history to Dr. Sattovia.

You review your history and physical with Dr. Sattovia, ask Ms. Pham if she has any questions (she does not), and wish her well. She says she will return for the HPV vaccine after she speaks with her mother. You remind her that it is a series of three injections and let her know that she can receive the vaccine here or at her university’s health service.

REVISIT THREE MONTHS LATER

HISTORY

You find Ms. Pham and take a history of her symptoms.

Three months later, Ms. Pham is home for Thanksgiving break and has returned to the clinic. You look at the chart:

Chief concern: “trouble urinating”

Dr. Sattovia asks you to talk to Ms. Pham about her symptoms first, then you will both examine her.

GATHERING HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS

HISTORY

Ms. Pham tells you her symptoms.

You enter the room, introduce yourself again, and proceed. You ask:

“How are things going?”

“This urine problem has been bothering me for a couple of days. I’ve never had anything like it.”

“Tell me about your symptoms.”

“Well, for the past two days I feel like I have to go to the bathroom constantly, and the urge to go is bad, like I might not make it. But, when I do go, there is only a little bit of urine, and it burns. This morning there was blood, and I have this pain down by my bladder. My roommate says this is how she felt when she had a bladder infection.”

After these open ended questions you begin to drill down into the problem with more specific questions and find that Ms. Pham has not experienced:

fever
vomiting
back pain
vaginal discharge

Considering that in female patients of this age group a major risk factor for a UTI is sexual intercourse, you ask some open-ended questions around that.

“Are you seeing anyone now?”

“Actually, yeah. We’ve been dating for two months. I like him a lot. I probably should have mentioned this up front, but we’ve started having sex, and I’d like to do something about birth control.”

“Do you have pain with vaginal intercourse?”

“No, not really.”

“What have you used for birth control so far?”

“Condoms mostly, but not every single time.”

“When was your last menstrual period?”

“A week ago, and it was just like it usually is.”

DEEP DIVEObtaining a Sexual History: The Five Ps

The CDC recommends the Five P’s as one way to obtain a sexual history:

Partners: Determine number and gender of partners. Some useful questions include:

“Do you have sex with men, women, or both?”
“In the past month, how many different people have you had sex with?”
“In the past 12 months, how many people have you had sex with?”

Practice: Especially if a patient is at high-risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection, you should ask more specifically about sexual practices: “Do you have vaginal sex? Do you have anal sex? Do you have oral sex?” Then ask specifically about the use of barrier protection with each type of sexual practice: “Do you use condoms never, sometimes, most of the time, or always with this type of sex?”

Protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs): If a patient is at risk for STIs, you should ask: “What are you doing to prevent exposure to sexually transmitted infections?” This question can allow you to assess a patient’s perception of risk and any methods that they use to reduce that risk. You can also ask specifically about barrier protection such as condoms and frequency of use: “Do you use condoms never, sometimes, most of the time, or always?”

Past STIs: A patient who has had past sexually transmitted disease(s) is at higher risk to get another and at higher risk to pass them to other people. To get a sense of past history of sexually transmitted infections ask:

“Have you ever had an STI?”
“Do you know what STI you had?”
“Were you ever treated for the STI?”
“Do you know if any of your partners had an STI or HIV?”
“Do you know what type of STI they had?”

Prevention of pregnancy: If a patient is at risk for pregnancy or getting a partner pregnant, you can ask: “Do you want to get pregnant? Are you and your partner trying to get pregnant?” If the patient does not want a pregnancy, ask: “What are you doing to prevent pregnancy?”

Based on what you know about the patient so far, write a one- to three-sentence summary statement to communicate your understanding of the patient to other providers.

Guidelines for summary statements.

Your response is recorded in your student case report.

Letter Count: 0/1000

SUBMIT

Answer Comment

Ms. Pham is an 18-year-old previously healthy female who presents with acute onset urinary frequency with associated dysuria, hematuria, and suprapubic pain, but no fever, chills, vaginal discharge, or vomiting in the setting of recent unprotected sexual intercourse with a new partner.

The ideal summary statement concisely highlights the most pertinent features without omitting any significant points. The summary statement above includes:

Epidemiology and risk factors: 18-year-old female, previously healthy
Key clinical findings about the present illness using qualifying adjectives and transformative language:

acute onset
urinary frequency
associated dysuria and hematuria
suprapubic pain
no fever, chills, or vomiting
no vaginal discharge
recent unprotected intercourse with new partner

Based on the key findings of the case so far, select the top three diagnoses on your differential at this time.

The best options are indicated below. Your selections are indicated by the shaded boxes.

Bacterial vaginosis
Candidiasis
Cervicitis with urethritis
Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis
Nephrolithiasis
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pyelonephritis

SUBMIT

Answer Comment

> The correct answers are C, D, G.

See the Teaching Point below regarding the best answers.

TEACHING POINT

Differential of Dysuria, Urinary Frequency, and Hematuria

Most Likely Diagnoses

Cervicitis with urethritis

· Several sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis can cause cervicitis with concomitant urethritis and dysuria similar to that seen here.· Symptoms that occur gradually over several weeks are more likely with a sexually transmitted urethritis.

Cystitis

· Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder caused most commonly by bacterial infection.· A non-specific term often used interchangeably with cystitis is “urinary tract infection.” Urinary tract infection can denote infection of any portion of the urinary tract, including the kidneys (pyelonephritis) or urethra (urethritis).

· Hematuria, urinary frequency, and dysuria are all common features of cystitis.

· Urinary frequency and dysuria can also be seen with urethritis, but hematuria is rarely seen with that condition. The presence of hematuria points to cystitis rather than urethritis in this patient.

· Note that fever is not seen with cystitis. When fever is present in the setting of urinary symptoms, pyelonephritis should be considered.

Pelvic inflammatory disease

· Pelvic inflammatory disease, often called PID, is the name for a spectrum of disorders of the upper female genital tract, including endometritis, tubo-ovarian abscess, and salpingitis.· Often sexually transmitted infections are the source of PID, which can lead to infertility if not treated.

· Females with PID may have subtle symptoms, and physical exam findings of cervical motion tenderness and uterine or adnexal tenderness are important diagnostic features of PID.

· In addition to vaginal discharge, abdominal and pelvic pain are common in PID—more so than with the other diagnoses.

· Fever is variably present in PID, and is more likely in severe cases.

Less Likely Diagnoses

Bacterial vaginosis	· Bacterial vaginosis is a condition marked by increased malodorous vaginal discharge.· It is caused by an imbalance of naturally occurring vaginal flora. · It is not an inflammatory condition, therefore pain and burning are rarely seen. · Sexual activity is a risk factor for bacterial vaginosis, but there is no clear evidence that it is transmitted sexually.
Candidiasis	· Candidiasis is an often-neglected cause of dysuria and is perceived as pain or burning when urine comes in contact with an inflamed perineum or labia.· A vaginal yeast infection may cause inflammation of the perineum and the urethral orifice, called “vaginitis,” that leads to dysuria. This so-called “external dysuria” is most common with candida and trichomonas vaginitis, but it is also present in patients with genital ulcers from herpes simplex and in irritant vaginitis from soaps, hygiene products, condoms, and spermicides. · Urinary frequency, urgency, or hematuria are symptoms related to the bladder and urethra. When present, they speak against the diagnosis of vaginitis.
Interstitial cystitis	· Interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by frequency, urgency, and dysuria.· However, it is less likely to present with hematuria and is less likely to have such an acute onset.
Nephrolithiasis	· Although nephrolithiasis can cause hematuria, it usually does not present with dysuria or urinary frequency.
Pyelonephritis	· Pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidney or upper urinary tract.· Dysuria may be present, but is rarely the only symptom. · Symptoms that suggest the diagnosis of pyelonephritis are flank pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and prostration, none of which is present here. · Fever is usually present with pyelonephritis, but not always.

You present the history to Dr. Sattovia and tell her that you have concluded the most likely explanation for her symptoms is cystitis. Because Ms. Pham has a new sexual partner, you also think a sexually transmitted infection such as gonorrhea is possible, and you want to rule out pelvic inflammatory disease. You would like to perform a pelvic exam to establish the diagnosis.

Dr. Sattovia agrees with your assessment and will accompany you to perform the pelvic exam. She also asks you if you think a Papanicolaou (Pap) test for cervical cancer screening should be performed at this time.

Question

Which of the following are current recommendations for cervical cancer screening? Select all that apply.

The best options are indicated below. Your selections are indicated by the shaded boxes.

Females who have received the HPV vaccine do not need to be screened.
Females with no prior abnormal Pap tests should have a yearly Pap test performed with the liquid-based cytology technique until age 65.
Females without a cervix who have had a hysterectomy for benign conditions do not need to have Pap tests.
Pap tests can be discontinued at age 65 if a female has had three or more documented consecutive negative Pap tests, and no abnormal Pap tests in twenty years.
Screening Pap tests should begin within three years of onset of sexual activity even if age is less than 21.
Testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) as a primary screening for cervical cancer is an acceptable alternative to Pap testing for females over 30 years of age.

SUBMIT

Answer Comment

> The correct answers are C, D, F.

Regarding choice A: The two types of HPV vaccine (9-valent Gardasil-9 and quadrivalent Gardasil) targets multiple genotypes including types 16 and 18, the most common genotypes to cause cervical cancer and therefore decrease the risk accordingly. However, recipients of either vaccine are still at risk of developing cervical cancer. Therefore, they should receive age-appropriate screening as discussed above.

Regarding choice B: Liquid-based cytology is a method where cervical cells are suspended in a vial of liquid preservative instead of spread from a brush and spatula onto a glass slide. There are fewer unsatisfactory specimens with liquid Paps, and testing for HPV can be done on fluid from the vial, if warranted. However, there are more false-positive results with liquid Pap, which can result in needless referrals for colposcopy.

Regarding choice E: Females under the age of 21 should not be tested, regardless of sexual activity.

TEACHING POINT

Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines

Age	Recommendation
Under 21	Females under the age of 21 should not be tested, regardless of sexual activity.
21-29	Females between the ages of 21 and 29 should have a Pap test every three years with the liquid-based cytology technique. HPV testing should not be used in this age range unless it is prompted by an abnormal Pap result.
30-65	There are three options for screening females between the ages of 30 to 65: 1. “Co-testing” with the Pap test and a high-risk HPV test every five years, 2. Pap test alone every three years, or 3. High-risk HPV testing alone every five years.
Over 65	Females older than 65 who have had negative Pap tests and documentation of adequate prior screening for the past 10 years are unlikely to have abnormal Pap tests with repeat testing so should no longer be screened. Screening should occur for 20 years after a pre-cancerous lesion is detected, even if testing continues after the age of 65.

These guidelines apply to females without medical conditions or exposure that place them at a higher risk of cervical cancer. Females in the following groups should be screened more frequently (e.g. annually):

those with HIV infection
those who are immunosuppressed (i.e., patients with transplanted organs, on chemotherapy, or on chronic steroids)
those with diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure before birth

PHYSICAL EXAM AND PELVIC EXAM

PHYSICAL EXAM

You percuss her back.

You explain the steps of the exam to Ms. Pham, tell her about the tests you will obtain, and review the guidelines for doing a Pap test with her. You also tell her about HIV testing and subsequent counseling.

She replies, “Thanks for going over all of this. If it’s okay, I’ll pass on the HIV test. I really don’t think I need it.”

You explain, “If the tests for some sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea come back positive, we report them to the public health department. In those situations, the health department will follow up with patients by telephone to make sure everyone gets treated appropriately.”

Vital signs:

Temperatureis 36.2 C (97.2 F)
Pulseis 88 beats/minute
Blood pressureis 92/55 mmHg
Respiratory rateis 16 breaths/minute
Oxygen Saturationis 97% on room air
Weightis 49.9 kg (110 lbs)
Heightis 160 cm (63 in)
Body mass indexis 19.5 kg/m²

Physical Exam

General: Ms. Pham appears well.

Cardiovascular: Regular rate and rhythm, Normal s1 and s2, no murmurs, rubs, or gallops.

Pulmonary: Clear to auscultation.

Skin: No visible lesions.

Back: No costovertebral angle tenderness.

Abdomen: Soft with active bowel sounds and mild midline suprapubic tenderness. Percussion of the suprapubic region reveals no distention of the bladder.

Pelvic: Examination of external genitalia reveals no ulcerations, redness, or other abnormalities of the skin, labia, introitus, or Bartholin glands. There is a small to moderate amount of white mucus in the vaginal vault. The cervix appears normal. Ms. Pham’s bimanual examination is normal. The uterus is normal-sized and not tender. There are no adnexal masses or tenderness, and there is no tenderness with cervical motion.

TEACHING POINT

STI Screening Recommendations

Current recommendations are for all patients age 15 to 65 years to be screened for HIV infection.

USPSTF also recommends screening all sexually active women and pregnant individuals age 24 years and younger for chlamydia and gonorrhea. This is a B recommendation.

Test results for most STIs, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV etc. must be reported to the public health department.

Which tests would be the most appropriate to perform during the pelvic exam for this patient? Select all that apply.

The best options are indicated below. Your selections are indicated by the shaded boxes.

Gram stain and culture of the endocervix for Neisseria gonorrheaand Chlamydia trachomatis
Microscopic examination of a slide with a drop of vaginal discharge and normal saline
Microscopic examination of a slide with a drop of vaginal discharge and potassium hydroxide
Nucleic acid amplification testing for Neisseria gonorrheaand Chlamydia trachomatis
Smelling a slide with a drop of vaginal discharge and normal saline
Smelling a slide with a drop of vaginal discharge and potassium hydroxide

SUBMIT

Answer Comment

> The correct answers are B, C, D, F.

TEACHING POINT

Recommended Pelvic Exam Tests in the Setting of Suspected STIs

Microscopic examination of slide with drop of vaginal discharge and normal saline	The saline-prepped or “wet mount” slide allows for diagnosis of Trichomonas and bacterial vaginosis.
Microscopic examination of slide with drop of vaginal discharge and potassium hydroxide	The potassium hydroxide slide is used to visualize budding yeast and hyphae that are seen with Candida vaginal infections.
Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) for N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis	The best way to test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea during a pelvic exam is nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) for N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis. NAAT is a sensitive and specific assay and has replaced culture methods. It can be used on urine specimens as well.
Smelling a slide with a drop of vaginal discharge and potassium hydroxide	Placing a drop of potassium hydroxide on vaginal discharge is known as the whiff-amine test. The production of a fishy odor indicates a positive test. A positive whiff-amine test is seen in bacterial vaginosis.

Tests not indicated:

Gram stain in cervicitis is not sensitive enough to detect infection, although it is highly sensitive and specific for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in male urethral specimens. Culture of cervical specimens has largely been replaced by nucleic acid testing.

Smelling a slide with normal saline is not useful.

WET MOUNT SLIDES

TEACHING

Question

List three things you would look for on the wet mount slides.

The suggested answer is shown below.

Letter Count: 0/1000

SUBMIT

Answer Comment

Yeast

Clue cells

Trichomonads

White blood cells

TEACHING POINT

What to Look for on Wet Mount Slides

In the case of trichomoniasis, wet mount slides reveal trichomonads, which are flagellated protozoans. The treatment is a single dose of 2 grams of metronidazole.
Clue cellscan also be seen on a saline slide and are characteristic of bacterial vaginosis (BV). BV, the most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge in females of childbearing age, is a condition characterized by reduced numbers of normal vaginal lactobacilli and overgrowth of other vaginal bacteria. Clue cells are epithelial cells entirely covered with these bacteria, giving the perimeter a “furlike” appearance. The treatment of BV is a course of metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for seven days.
It is also useful to measure the pH of vaginal discharge. A pH greater than 4.5 is seen in trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, and atrophic vaginitis.

RESULTS OF WET MOUNT

TESTING

Ms. Pham’s wet mount slides reveal no yeast, trichomonads or clue cells.

There are two to five white cells per high-power field.

The pH of the vaginal discharge is 4.0.

The whiff-amine test is negative.

After an unrevealing microscope examination of the cervical specimen, you think that Mrs. Pham most likely has cystitis.

Question

Dr. Sattovia asks what tests you would do first to confirm your hypothesis. Choose the two best answers.

The best options are indicated below. Your selections are indicated by the shaded boxes.

Gram stain microscopic examination for bacteria
Microscopic urinalysis
Urine culture and sensitivity
Urine dip stick

SUBMIT

Answer Comment

> The correct answers are B, D.

TEACHING POINT

Diagnostic Tests for Cystitis

Microscopic urinalysis

Pyuria, defined as at least two to five leukocytes per high-powered field in a spun urine specimen, is present in almost all females with cystitis, and evaluation of midstream urine for white blood cells is the most valuable lab test for urinary tract infection. If white cells are not present in the urine, an alternative diagnosis should be considered.

Urine dip stick

In ambulatory settings, urine dipstick testing has largely replaced microscopy to confirm the diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI), because it is cheaper, faster, and more convenient. Dipsticks detect the presence of leukocyte esterase and nitrite and have comparable accuracy to microscopic urinalysis in the diagnosis of cystitis. However, they may be negative in low-colony count infections (less than 10⁴ colonies/mL). Therefore, patients should also have a microscopic urinalysis performed.

Tests not indicated for diagnosis of cystitis

Microscopic evaluation of the urine for bacteriuriais generally not recommended for acute cystitis because bacteria in low quantities (less than 10⁴ colonies/mL) are difficult to find, even with Gram stain.
Urine culture is not cost-effective and not necessary in females with cystitis, because the causative organisms and antibiotic sensitivities are predictable, and the results of the culture are not immediately available. There are certain situations when obtaining a urine culture is useful, such as in patients with refractory symptoms or those with a history of urinary tract infections with antibiotic-resistant organisms.

URINE DIPSTICK RESULTS

TESTING

The dipstick from the patient’s midstream urine specimen

Urine dipstick: positive for leukocyte esterase, nitrites, and hemoglobin

Pregnancy test: negative

These findings strongly support your diagnosis of acute cystitis.

Question

Which four of the following organisms are common causative agents of cystitis? Choose the four best answers.

The best options are indicated below. Your selections are indicated by the shaded boxes.

Bacteroides fragilis
Escherichia coli
Gardnerella vaginalis
Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Proteus mirabilis
Staphylococcus saprophyticus

SUBMIT

Answer Comment

> The correct answers are B, E, F, G

TEACHING POINT

Most Common Causes of Cystitis

colicauses a majority of all cases of uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

Other common organisms include Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

The other organisms rarely cause UTI.

Bacteroides fragilisis a Gram-negative anaerobe responsible for intra-abdominal infections and some cases of pelvic inflammatory disease.
Gardnerella vaginalisis one of the causative agents in bacterial vaginosis.
Group A Streptococcusis the agent responsible for streptococcal pharyngitis.

CYSTITIS VS. PYELONEPHRITIS

TEACHING

You tell Dr. Sattovia that based on your exam and diagnostic studies that Ms. Pham most likely has cystitis. Dr. Sattovia asks why you think she has a lower urinary tract infection and not an upper urinary tract infection, or pyelonephritis.

Question

Which of the following—if present—would have made pyelonephritis more likely? Select all that apply.

The best options are indicated below. Your selections are indicated by the shaded boxes.

Costovertebral angle tenderness
Fever
Hematuria on urinalysis
Pyuria on urinalysis
Vomiting
White blood cell casts on urinalysis

SUBMIT

Answer Comment

> The correct answers are A, B, E, F.

TEACHING POINT

Differentiating Cystitis from Pyelonephritis

It is important to make the distinction between cystitis and pyelonephritis because the treatment differs.

	Cystitis	Pyelonephritis
Clinical manifestations	dysuria, frequency, urgency, suprapubic pain, and/or hematuria	may or may not have symptoms of cystitis together with fever (> 38 C) and other systemic symptoms, such as chills, flank pain, costovertebral angle tenderness, and nausea/vomiting
Urinalysis	pyuria	pyuria, white blood cell casts (pathognomonic)
Treatment	short-course antibiotic therapy (three to five days for uncomplicated cystitis);hospitalization usually not required	at least seven days of treatment;hospitalization may be required

DYSURIA IN MALES

TEACHING

Urethral Gram stain showing Gram-negative intracellular diplococci

Dr. Sattovia wants to make sure you can care for males with dysuria as well as females, so she takes a few minutes to review this with you.

TEACHING POINT

Dysuria in Males

Disease	Presentation	Diagnosis
UTI and cystitis	· Isolated acute cystitis is rare in males because their longer urethra hinders bacteria from reaching the bladder, and prostatic fluid has antibacterial properties.· Most males with acute cystitis have functional or anatomic abnormalities, and need further evaluation. · Symptoms of lower and upper tract infections are the same in males and females.	Midstream culture and sensitivity of the urine
Urethritis	· Usually sexually transmitted gonococcal and/or chlamydial infection.· Gonococcal urethritis is more likely in males with acute symptoms and purulent urethral discharge. · Chlamydia is likely when dysuria is present alone or with minimal discharge. Males with chlamydia infection may be asymptomatic. · Recommended that patients be treated presumptively for both gonorrhea and chlamydia, pending results. · Herpes simplex virus is a rare cause of urethritis, but may be suggested by the history of penile lesions.	· Diagnosis can be made on a Gram stain of a urethral swab.· Leukocytes and Gram-negative intracellular diplococci confirm the diagnosis of gonorrhea. · White cells without organisms suggest non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) which is usually chlamydia but can also be Trichomonas vaginalis. · Because many outpatient offices are not equipped to do Gram stains, NAAT testing of the urethra or urine is becoming the preferred diagnostic test for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Prostatitis	Acute prostatitis· Presents with UTI symptoms of fever, chills, dysuria, dribbling, and hesitancy, and is caused by Gram-negative rods (Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas, Proteus), Gram-positive organisms (Enterococcus, S. aureus), and sexually transmitted agents such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. · Prostate is edematous and very tender on digital rectal examination. Chronic prostatitis · Characterized by lower urinary tract symptoms, perineal discomfort, pain with ejaculation, and occasionally deep pelvic pain that radiates to the back. The symptoms are often subtle and sometimes may be absent, and the physical exam may be normal. · This diagnosis should be considered in males with recurrent UTIs without risk factors.	Diagnosis can be difficult to make and may require submitting urine specimens gathered following prostatic massage for microscopic urinalysis and culture.
Epididymitis	· Patients with epididymitis present with dysuria, frequency, urgency, and unilateral testicular pain.· Fever and rigors may be present and there may be redness and tenderness of the entire affected testicle. · Testicular torsion should be considered in all cases, especially when the patient is an adolescent and the onset is sudden. · Epididymitis in males < 35 years is usually caused by Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae; in those > 35, enteric Gram-negative rods (Escherichia coli) are the most common causes.	If the diagnosis is questionable, color duplex doppler scanning should be obtained immediately.

COMPLICATED VS. UNCOMPLICATED

TEACHING

Now that you have made a diagnosis of cystitis, Dr. Sattovia asks you to think about how you want to treat the patient. She explains that one of the first steps in determining duration and choice of antibiotics for cystitis is to classify the infection as “complicated” or “uncomplicated.”

Question

Which of the following are factors that may contribute to a patient developing a complicated urinary tract infection? Select all that apply.

The best options are indicated below. Your selections are indicated by the shaded boxes.

Abnormal urinary tract anatomy
Hospital-acquired
Immunosuppression
Indwelling urinary catheter
Male sex
Pregnancy

SUBMIT

Answer Comment

> The correct answers are A, B, C, D, E, F.

TEACHING POINT

Factors that Contribute to Complicated Urinary Tract Infections

Anatomic or functional abnormalities of the urinary tract	Anatomic or functional abnormalities of the urinary tract lead to stasis and impede the free flow of urine, promoting bacterial growth and causing complicated infections.
Hospital-acquired	Hospital-acquired urinary tract infections are considered complicated because patients are more susceptible to developing infections with antibiotic-resistant organisms that are found in the hospital environment.
Immunosuppressed or recently treated with antibiotics	Patients who are immunosuppressed or who recently have been treated with antibiotics are considered to have complicated infections.
Male	Urinary tract infections in males are complicated because they are commonly associated with bladder outlet obstruction, instrumentation, or other urologic abnormalities. However, a small number of adult males can develop uncomplicated UTIs. Risk factors associated with these infections are men having sex with men, intercourse with a urinary tract-infected female partner, and lack of circumcision.
Pregnant	Urinary tract infections in pregnant females are considered complicated because they can progress to and can induce preterm labor.
Urinary catheter or recent instrumentation	Urinary tract infections in patients with urinary catheters or recent instrumentation are considered complicated because they introduce external pathogens into the urinary tract and, in the case of indwelling catheters, provide a nidus for bacterial growth.

TREATMENT

THERAPEUTICS

Dr. Sattovia asks what antibiotic you would use to treat Ms. Pham’s cystitis.

Question

Which of the following are considered options for first-line empiric therapy in this patient? Select all that apply.

The best options are indicated below. Your selections are indicated by the shaded boxes.

Amoxicillin
Ciprofloxacin
Fosfomycin
Nitrofurantoin
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

SUBMIT

Answer Comment

> The correct answers are C, D, E.

TEACHING POINT

First-Line Empiric Therapy for Cystitis

In large part, empiric choice of antimicrobial agents for uncomplicated cystitis depends on regional susceptibility patterns.

In most regions of the U.S., rates of resistance of colito ampicillin and amoxicillin exceed 20%, which makes amoxicillin a poor choice for empiric therapy.
In most areas, resistance rates for nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are less than 10%. Therefore, these have become recommended first-line empiric therapy in the U.S. However, the rates of resistance to these antibiotics vary by geographic region and can exceed 20% in some areas.

Fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and levofloxacin), in many areas, have favorable resistance profiles, but in some areas resistance rates exceed 20%. Even if the resistance rates are < 10%, fluoroquinolone use can select for multidrug-resistant organisms (sometimes referred to as “collateral damage”) and there are several “black box” warnings on fluoroquinolones due to some serious side effects. Therefore, fluoroquinolones should be considered alternative therapy and reserved for patients who do not tolerate or are not eligible to receive recommended first-line agents.

Selected beta-lactam agents may be reasonable choices as well when other agents cannot be used. However, there is less data with these agents. The beta-lactams that could be considered for treatment in select circumstances based on local susceptibility data include amoxicillin-clavulanate, second-generation cephalosporins (cefaclor), third-generation cephalosporins (cefdinir and cefpodoxime), and, in some instances first-generation cephalosporins (cephalexin and cefadroxil).

In the end, the final choice of antibiotic should depend on a variety of factors, including local susceptibility patterns, patient allergies, potential drug-drug interactions, recent antibiotic use, and renal function, among others.

References

Gupta K, Hooton TM, Naber KG, et al. International clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis and pyelonephritis in women: a 2010 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the European Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Clin Infect Dis 2011;52:e103-e120. DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciq257.

ANTIBIOTIC CHOICE

THERAPEUTICS

Based on local resistance patterns in your community, you decide to start Ms. Pham on nitrofurantoin 100 mg twice daily. You are ready to write the prescription, and Dr. Sattovia will co-sign it.

Question

How would you write the prescription? Choose the single best answer.

The best option is indicated below. Your selections are indicated by the shaded boxes.

Nitrofurantoin 100 mg in a single dose
Nitrofurantoin 100 mg q 12 hours for 3 days
Nitrofurantoin 100 mg q 12 hours for 5 days
Nitrofurantoin 100 mg q 12 hours for 10 days
Nitrofurantoin 100 mg every 12 hours for 14 days

SUBMIT

Answer Comment

> The correct answer is C.

TEACHING POINT

Recommended Dosing and Duration for Cystitis Therapy

Nitrofurantoin monohydrate or macrocrystals should be dosed at 100 mg twice daily for five days. The efficacy of this regimen has similar efficacy to that of a three-day regimen of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in a randomized-control trial. However, other recommended first-line agents have different recommended durations. See the table below for recommended durations of first-line agents.

First-line antimicrobial regimens for use in acute uncomplicated cystitis in the United States.

Drug	Dose and interval	Duration
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole	160/800 mg q 12 hours	3 days
Nitrofurantoin monohydrate macrocrystals	100 mg q 12 hours	5 days
Fosfomycin trometamol	3 gm in a single dose	1 dose

References

Gupta K, Hooton TM, Roberts PL, Stamm WE. Short-course nitrofurantoin for the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis in women. Arch Intern Med 2007;167:2207-12. DOI: 10.1001/archinte.167.20.2207.

ANTIBIOTIC TEACHING

TEACHING

Dr. Sattovia asks you how you would have treated Ms. Pham if she had pyelonephritis. She gives you a hint that the local E. coli resistance to nitrofurantoin is 3%, to fluoroquinolones is 8%, and to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is 13%.

Question

What would be an appropriate outpatient treatment strategy for Ms. Pham if your history, physical exam, and diagnostic tests had suggested pyelonephritis? Select all that apply.

The best options are indicated below. Your selections are indicated by the shaded boxes.

Ceftriaxone 1 gm IV as a single dose followed by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 160/800 mg PO every 12 hours for 14 days
Ciprofloxacin 500 mg PO every 12 hours for 3 days
Ciprofloxacin 500 mg PO every 12 hours for 7 days
Nitrofurantoin 100 mg every 12 hours for 5 days
Nitrofurantoin 100 mg every 12 hours for 14 days
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 160/800 mg PO every 12 hours for 14 days

SUBMIT

Answer Comment

> The correct answers are A, C.

TEACHING POINT

Recommended Therapy for Pyelonephritis

In patients with pyelonephritis, a urine culture with sensitivities should be sent in addition to a urine dipstick and microscopic urinalysis. Definitive antibiotic choice should be based on the results of the urine culture.

For empiric therapy before the results of the urine culture are obtained, an oral fluoroquinolone is the first-line treatment if the local resistance rates are < 10%, as in this case. Fluoroquinolones provide high drug concentrations in the renal medulla. A longer course of at least seven days should be given for pyelonephritis.

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole should be used in pyelonephritis only if the culture and sensitivity results are available and if the infecting organism is known to be susceptible. Two-week regimens are generally advised when using trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. If trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is to be used prior to obtaining results of a urine culture, a single intravenous dose of a long-acting cephalosporin, such as ceftriaxone, should be given before starting the course of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

Nitrofurantoin should not be used to treat pyelonephritis because adequate tissue levels in the kidney are not attained.

TEACHING POINT

Who Should Be Hospitalized For Pyelonephritis

Patients who cannot maintain oral hydration or cannot take oral medicines should be hospitalized, as should those who have social circumstances or other factors that hinder adherence to therapy.
Patients who appear septic, who are hemodynamically unstable, and who have any complicating factors should also be hospitalized.
In many cases, people with diabetes should be hospitalized for parenteral therapy because they have worse outcomes, and diabetics have an increased risk of complications such as emphysematous pyelonephritis or abscess.
Pregnant females should be hospitalized, because pyelonephritis is associated with an increased incidence of fetal complications and premature delivery.

References

Gupta K, Hooton TM, Naber KG, et al. International clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis and pyelonephritis in women: a 2010 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the European Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.Clin Infect Dis 2011;52:e103-20. DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciq257.

IMAGING AND REFERRAL

TEACHING

Dr. Sattovia explains strategies to help prevent UTIs.

You and Dr. Sattovia give Ms. Pham the prescription for nitrofurantoin, and she says, “Thanks! But, does this mean that there is something wrong with my bladder and I’m going to get this again? Is there any way I can prevent this from coming back?”

Dr. Sattovia explains that she could get a bladder infection again, but recurrent bladder infections are common in young, healthy females even though most have normal urinary tract anatomy, and they generally do not lead to serious long-term health problems.

Question

What are the indications for imaging or urologic evaluation in a patient with a urinary tract infection? Select all that apply.

The best options are indicated below. Your selections are indicated by the shaded boxes.

Family history of UTIs
Growth of Proteus mirabilison urine culture
Patients with a single episode of pyelonephritis who do not improve within 72 hours on appropriate antibiotic therapy
Recurrent cystitis
Recurrent episodes of pyelonephritis
Suspected anatomic abnormality of the urinary tract

SUBMIT

Answer Comment

> The correct answers are B, C, E, F.

TEACHING POINT

Indications for Imaging or Urologic Evaluation in a Patient with a UTI

Imaging studies and urologic referral are not indicated in the routine evaluation of young females with cystitis or pyelonephritis because they rarely uncover abnormalities that require treatment. However, in certain groups, further evaluation is recommended to exclude anatomic abnormalities and complications of pyelonephritis.

Isolation of Proteuscan be associated with urologic (struvite) stones so may require imaging, especially in patients with recurrent or refractory infections despite adequate antibiotic treatment.
Recurrent pyelonephritis should prompt imaging to rule out nephrolithiasis or other urologic anomalies.
Patients with pyelonephritis who remain febrile and show no clinical improvement within 72 hours on appropriate antibiotic therapy should have imaging to rule out obstruction or renal or perinephric abscesses. The presence of these complications often requires drainage and longer courses of antibiotics.
Patients with suspected abnormality of the urinary tract.

CT scan or renal ultrasound is recommended as a first step to rule out nephrolithiasis or obstruction prior to urologic evaluation in these circumstances.

Urologic evaluation, including cystoscopy, should also be performed in those with persistent hematuria after infection has been eradicated.

RECURRENT UTI TEACHING

TEACHING

If Ms. Pham were to call back in six months and tell you that she has had three episodes of dysuria and was treated for urinary tract infections each time, what would you tell her?

Question

In a patient with recurrent urinary tract infections, what would be proven effective strategies at decreasing the rates of future urinary tract infections? Select all that apply.

The best options are indicated below. Your selections are indicated by the shaded boxes.

Continuous antibiotic prophylaxis
Increasing frequency of voiding
Increasing water intake
Post-coital antibiotic prophylaxis
Topical estrogen in post-menopausal females

SUBMIT

Answer Comment

> The correct answers are A, D, E.

TEACHING POINT

Preventing Recurrent UTIs

The first step in evaluating recurrent dysuria is to prove the patient is actually having urinary tract infections by urinalysis and urine culture. Dysuria could be due to atrophic vaginitis, genital herpes, interstitial cystitis, mechanical or chemical irritation, or urethritis.
The next step after proving recurrent cystitis is to ask the patient about risk factors and predisposing factors to complicating infections. These predisposing factors should be treated if present.
In patients without predisposing factors, some clinicians attempt behavioral and lifestyle modification. Because sexual activity is associated with recurrent infections, doctors often recommend that females void before and after sexual intercourse. This, and advice to wipe “front to back,” increase fluid intake (including cranberry juice), and avoid full bladders, have not been proven to reduce the recurrence of infection, but they are benign maneuvers, and still make sense to many clinicians.
For post-menopausal females, topical estrogen normalizes the vaginal flora and reduces the risk of recurrent infection.
Especially if these conservative measures fail and the patient has at least three proven urinary tract infections per year or at least two in six months, antibiotic prophylaxis may be considered.

Potential strategies include continuous prophylaxis, post-coital prophylaxis, and self-treatment. Rates of urinary tract infections do not differ significantly between continuous and post-coital prophylaxis. Post-coital prophylaxis will result in less antibiotic use than continuous prophylaxis with similar efficacy, especially if the infections are temporally related to sexual intercourse. Likewise, patient-initiated treatment upon developing symptoms can represent a cost-effective management strategy if infections are not severe and not frequent.

The ultimate choice of agent for prophylaxis or treatment should depend on local susceptibility patterns and susceptibility patterns of the patient’s prior urine cultures. Generally, the recommended duration of continuous prophylaxis is six months followed by observation for reinfection.

DEEP DIVE Specifics of Recurrent UTI Prophylaxis Regimens

References

Albert X, Huertas I, Pereiró II, Sanfélix J, et al. Antibiotics for preventing recurrent urinary tract infection in non-pregnant women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004; 3:CD001209.

Hooton TM. Recurrent urinary tract infection in women. Int J Antimicrob Agents.2001;14:259-268.

CONTRACEPTION

TEACHING

Dr. Sattovia also goes over some birth control options with Ms. Pham. Ms. Pham is pretty sure she wants to start the combination pill but wants to read more before she makes a final decision. You refer her to this information page published by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

She takes the antibiotic prescription, and Dr. Sattovia and you wish her luck at college and tell her that you will call her when all the results of her tests are back.

TEACHING POINT

Birth Control Options

Percentage of females experiencing an unintended pregnancy within the first year of use: United States

Method	Typical use	Perfect use
No method	85	85
Spermicides	29	18
Withdrawal	27	4
Fertility awareness-based methods	25
· Standard days method		5
· Two day method		4
· Ovulation method		3
Sponge
· Parous females	32	20
· Nulliparous females	16	9
Diaphragm	16	6
Condom
· Female (Reality)	21	5
· Male	15	2
Combined pill and progestogen-only pill	8	0.3
Evra patch	8	0.3
NuvaRing	8	0.3
Depo-Provera	3	0.3
Combined injectable (Lunelle)	3	0.05
IUD
· ParaGard (copper T)	0.8	0.6
· Mirena (LNG-IUS)	0.2	0.2
Implanon	0.05	0.05
Female sterilization	0.5	0.5
Male sterilization	0.15	0.10

Adapted from WHO Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use (2015)

Male latex condoms:when correctly used with each episode of intercourse are the best protection against sexually transmitted infections.
IUDs:can be considered for females at low risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections, since sexually transmitted infections may require removal of the IUD. Females with a history of PID can safely use the IUD with appropriate counseling. IUDs can be used as long as the female is not planning a pregnancy for at least one year, since attempting a pregnancy would require IUD removal. Females who have never been pregnant can safely use the IUD.
Post-coital contraceptives:(emergency contraception) initiated within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse reduce the risk of pregnancy by at least 75%.

References

World Health Organization. Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use. Geneva: Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization; 2015

STI DISCUSSION

CARE DISCUSSION

You tell Ms. Pham the news.

You drop by the office to review lab results from yesterday.

You see that Ms. Pham’s chlamydia test is positive. You discuss with Dr. Sattovia what you will say to Ms. Pham and then give her a telephone call.

After introducing yourself, you ask,

“How are you doing?”

“I feel so much better! My urine symptoms are almost all gone.”

“Well I’m sure glad to hear you are improving. I’m calling to tell you though, that the chlamydia test we did during the pelvic exam was positive.”

“Oh, no. You get chlamydia from sex, right?”

“That’s right. Chlamydia is transmitted by unprotected sexual intercourse, and often men and women don’t have symptoms with it. Because you are feeling better, I suspect your urinary symptoms were caused by a bladder infection, and that the chlamydia infection so far hasn’t caused you to feel bad. Nevertheless, we should treat you, because if we don’t, it could lead to a serious infection of your uterus and ovaries called pelvic inflammatory disease.”

Question

What are reasonable treatment options for an uncomplicated chlamydia infection? Select all that apply.

The best options are indicated below. Your selections are indicated by the shaded boxes.

Azithromycin 1 gram orally as one-time dose
Cefaclor 250 mg once daily for seven days
Ceftriaxone 250 mg intramuscular as one-time dose
Doxycycline 100 mg orally as one-time dose
Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice daily for seven days

SUBMIT

Answer Comment

> The correct answers are A, E.

TEACHING POINT

Recommended Chlamydia Therapy

First-line chlamydia therapy is a one-time oral dose of azithromycin 1 gram or a seven-day course of oral doxycycline 100 mg twice daily. The one-time regimen of azithromycin is preferred because of better adherence. Levofloxacin and ofloxacin are considered alternative treatment agents and require seven days of therapy.

Ceftriaxone 250 mg intramuscular as a one-time dose (A) is part of the treatment of choice for uncomplicated gonorrhea infection. As of 2015 the CDC has recommended that uncomplicated gonorrhea be treated with a dual therapy, ceftriaxone 125 mg IM and azithromycin 1 gram by mouth. The addition of azithromycin was to address concerns regarding developing antimicrobial resistance of gonococcus to cephalosporin. Cephalosporins have limited activity against Chlamydia so should not be used as monotherapy for Chlamydia.

https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/treatment.htm

STI TREATMENT

THERAPEUTICS

You tell her you will call in a prescription for azithromycin and explain that she should take both pills all at once. You advise her to have blood tests to check for HIV and syphilis, and encourage her to talk with her boyfriend. You explain that he should be treated for chlamydia. He should also be tested for gonorrhea because it is common for gonorrhea and chlamydia to cause coinfection. He should be tested for HIV as well.

“Oh, and this is important: you should not have sex for a week after you and your boyfriend take the medication.”

You send the prescription to the pharmacy and place an order to the lab for an HIV test. Ms. Pham thanks you for all of your help.

DEEP DIVE Partner Notification of STIs

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