Sexually Transmitted Diseases (From Child Abuse and Neglect: Guidelines for Identification, Assessment, and Case Management, P 91-95, 2003, Marilyn Strachan Peterson and Michael Durfee, eds. -- See NCJ-200932)

• NCJ Number: 200945
• Author(s): Angela Rosas M.D.
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: Volcano Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Instructional Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter discusses sexually transmitted disease management in adolescent victims of sexual assault and the evaluation of children for sexually transmitted disease.

Abstract

In discussing the management of sexually transmitted disease (STD) in adolescent victims of sexual assault, the chapter notes that STD risk and identification after sexual assault is more important for the medical and psychological management of the patient than for forensic purposes, since the infection could have been present before the assault. The most frequently diagnosed infections at the time of the sexual assault evaluation are trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Recommendations are offered for standard STD testing, serologic STD testing, prophylaxis, and follow-up instructions and care. The chapter also presents the Center for Disease Control's recommendations for approaching the risk of acquiring HIV infection from sexual assault. Recommendations for evaluating children for STD include the use of procedures that minimize pain and trauma, becoming familiar with the various STD's and their implications for evidence of child sexual abuse, and making the decision to evaluate the child for STD's on the basis of the circumstances of each patient. Other aspects discussed in the evaluation of children for STD are standard procedures for STD testing, serologic STD testing, presumptive treatment, and follow-up care. Two relevant case vignettes are described, along with follow-up questions. 2 resources