STIs

Sexually transmitted infections are a core part of gynecologic care. This episode provides a rapid-fire review of the most common STIs organized by diagnostic method – swab/urine vs. serum vs. clinical diagnosis – covering screening recommendations, classic presentations, and first-line treatments.

Show Outline:

• Swab/Urine STIs
  • Chlamydia – Usually asymptomatic. Screen routinely. Can cause infertility/PID and Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome. Treat with Azithromycin ×1.
  • Gonorrhea – Often asymptomatic. Screen routinely. Can cause infertility/PID. Treat with Ceftriaxone + Azithromycin.
  • Trich – Frothy/watery discharge, “strawberry cervix.” Can see trich moving on wet mount. Treat Flagyl 2g PO once.
  • HPV – Cervical dysplasia/cancer and genital warts. Topical treatments as needed.
• Serum STIs
  • Syphilis – Painless chancre → latent → secondary (palmar/plantar rash). If unsure of stage, treat as latent: PCN IM ×3.
  • HIV – Universal screening. PrEP if high risk. Referral to ID and counseling if positive.
  • Hep B – Treatable, not curable. Routine serum screening.
• No Routine Screening (diagnose if lesion)
  • HSV – Antivirals for outbreaks; prophylaxis if frequent outbreaks or immunosuppressed. Valacyclovir or acyclovir most common.

About the Speaker:

Jennifer Doorey, MD, MS – Academic Ob/Gyn at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. As the founder of MedReady, Dr. Doorey seeks to advance clinical medical education by developing resources for medical students and clinical educators.

Procedure Ready: Ob/Gyn is a podcast aimed at medical, PA, and NP students entering their clinical rotation in Ob/Gyn. The views expressed are the speaker's own and do not constitute medical advice.