STD Awareness Month

Slideshow

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  Encourage compliance.

  Some infections can be cured. Those that aren't curable can be treated.

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  Test your patients.

  If your patient is positive for an STD, work with them on a treatment plan.

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  Rises in some STDs.

  Rates for three of the most common infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) all increased at the same time for the first time in 10 years recently.

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  Big Costs

  Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 20 million new sexually transmitted infections occur each year in the United States, costing the healthcare system nearly $16 billion in direct medical costs.

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  Pregnant Woman

  Pregnant Woman

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  Take an accurate sexual history.

  Tips on taking an accurate sexual history can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website (see link below).

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  Fortunately, physicians can help, by creating a dialogue.

  TALK. Talk openly with patients about sex and preventing infections.

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  Encourage ongoing treatment and followup.

  It is important to counsel patients that untreated infections can increase a person's risk for getting and giving HIV.

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  Extend the dialogue to sexual partners.

  Counsel patients that it is important that they do not have sex again until both the patient and their partner(s) have completed your treatment.

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  Encourage safe sex practices.

  Talking also means counseling patients on how to have safe sex, and ensuring that they know about the many prevention options currently available. Use the CDC's counseling messages to alleviate fear and anxiety associated with certain diagnoses (found at the CDC website below).