Exposure to Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Home Treatment

Home treatment is never an appropriate treatment for a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Evaluation by a health professional is needed for:

• Any changes or symptoms in the genital area that suggest an STD.
• A known or suspected exposure to an STD.

Symptoms of STDs may not appear for many days, weeks, months or, with HIV, even years after an exposure. Once you have been exposed to an STD, you cannot reduce the risk you now have of getting an infection.

A regular habit of genital self-examination once a month will help you know what is normal for you and when you may have symptoms of an STD.

In addition to your health professional, there are other resources that can help you with information on STD evaluation and treatment. These resources include:

• Local health departments that have STD clinics.
• Family planning clinics, such as Planned Parenthood (1-800-230-PLAN [1-800-230-7526]).
• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention STD hotline (1-800-342-2437, or http://www.cdc.gov/std).

Treatment for pregnant women is monitored by their health professional to avoid complications. STDs in pregnant women may cause problems such as:

• Miscarriage.
• Low birth weight.
• Premature delivery.
• Infections in their newborn baby, such as pneumonia, eye infections, or nervous system problems. These infections may threaten the life of your baby or cause serious long-term problems or disabilities.

It is important for you and an infected partner to complete all medical treatment for an STD to prevent the infection from returning. You may need to be rechecked after treatment is complete.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if they persist or become more severe or frequent.

Note:

If you suspect you may have symptoms of an STD: Do not have sexual contact or activity while waiting for your appointment. This will prevent the spread of the infection. Women should not douche. Douching changes the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina. Douching may flush an infection up into your uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Home test kits for some STDs are available but it is recommended that you consult your health professional about any STD symptoms.

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Author:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA	Last Updated: February 9, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease
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