Patients with Sexually Transmitted Diseases It can be a touchy subject when a patient comes to the doctor’s office or hospital, and they have a sexually transmitted disease. If that is the reason they are seeking medical treatment, it obviously has to be discussed, and that can make many people very uncomfortable. Many young people assume actual intercourse in the only way to contract an STD, and this often leads to many instances that could have been prevented. When a teen visits a clinic or medical facility, and has a complaint that sounds as if it could be a symptom associated with an STD, the subject should be discussed. A direct approach of asking the teen if they are sexually active is generally the best method. In most cases this should be done privately with the teen, however, some states have laws regarding speaking to minors without parental consent. A frank discussion with a teen patient to determine the possibility of an existing STD, is imperative, they should receive treatment as soon as possible. Related: Uterine Fibroids and Endometriosis Discussing STDs with Teens New estimates show that there are about 20 million new sexually transmitted infections in the United States each year. Young people, between the ages of 15 to 24, account for 50% of all new STDs, although they represent just 25% of the sexually experienced population. 46% of American high school students have had sexual intercourse and potentially are at risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and other STDs. In 2012, gonorrhea rates were highest among adolescents and young adults. In 2012, the highest rates were observed among women aged 20–24 years (578.5) and 15–19 years (521.2). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are more than 110 million STIs among men and women in the US. This includes both new and existing infections. The annual number of new infections is roughly equal among teen girls (51%) and teen guys (49%).
HPV (human papillomavirus) accounts for the majority of prevalent STIs in the US. The US has the highest rate of STD infection in the industrialized world. 6 in 10 sexually active high school teens reported using condoms during their most recent sexual intercourse. 1 in 4 teens contract a sexually transmitted disease every year. Less than half of adults age 18 to 44 have ever been tested for an STD other than HIV/AIDS. Related: Handling Patients who have Gout Adults with STDs It can be very embarrassing for anyone to seek treatment for an STD. They are often reluctant to go for medical care due to fear of being judged. It is important to make sure the patient is aware you are a professional nurse, and not a judge. Their sex life is none of your concern, only the medical condition at hand. Stick to the facts, and only ask pertinent information. Depending on laws in your jurisdiction, you may be required to notify sexual partners of your patient, if that is the case, explain why you are asking for the information, and hope that the patient chooses to be honest about the possible infected individuals. If there is no law requiring medical personnel to make contact with potential victims, encourage the patient to do so themselves, so that all necessary treatments are administered in a timely manner. Many people fear AIDS, yet other STDs are much more common, and can be very dangerous, as well as having lasting side effects. Women that contract STDs can suffer from infertility, and both males and females may elevate their risk of cancer due to contracting an STD. Patients should never be judged, or made to feel irresponsible for contracting the disease, odds are, they already feel extremely guilty and bad, and the point is, they are there for medical treatment, and that is what should be provided. Most medical facilities have brochures that cover the topic in detail, and provide valuable information about protecting against future episodes. Medical personnel are there to treat, and not judge, so stick to that philosophy and you are doing your job as a great nurse! Related: International Nurses Association Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter