Question

B. Vanessa is an 18-year-old female who presents to the clinic with a complaint of low backache, lower abdominal cramping, and increased vaginal discharge. She is afebrile. A pelvic examination reveals greenish mucopurulent discharge from her cervix and positive cervical motion tendemess. She is diagnosed with mucopurulent cervicitis. Her urine tested positive for Chlamydia. 1. What is the outpatient treatment for Vanessa? 2. What education does she require regarding her therapy? ! 3. What is the ongoing monitoring and follow-up for Vanessa?

patho of the disease, patho of the specific drug of choice and specific dosages

drug side effects and education

Answer 1

Chlamydia trachomatis causes “chlamydia,” which is a sexually transmitted infectious disease (STD). It can cause sterility in men and women if left untreated.

Pathophysiology:

Chlamydiae infect the host cells and remain within the cell for prolonged periods. It causes deficiency of amino acids, vitamins, and metal ions as it consumes these nutrients from the host cell. Exposure to the antibiotics and deficiency of nutrients make them enter into a persistent growth state in which the bacteria do not undergo active cell division, but remain alive. It becomes active once the conditions are favorable for growth.

The Chlamydia infection is generally asymptomatic, so it is difficult to detect it can be transmitted to many people before it is clinically diagnosed. The early symptoms of chlamydia occur within 7 to 21 days after infection. The early symptoms in women include vaginal discharge, bleeding between the menstrual periods, and burning sensation during urination. After months of initial infection, other symptoms that include low back pain, abdominal pain, pain during intercourse, and low-grade fever occur.

1Q).

Chlamydia infection can be cured with antibiotics (azithromycin, erythromycin, or doxycycline). Azithromycin and erythromycin act by bacterial protein synthesis inhibition. The adverse effects are gastrointestinal disturbances and opportunistic infections of the skin and vagina.

Doxycycline acts by bacterial protein synthesis inhibition. Its adverse effects include calcium deficiency, bone deformations if used in pregnant women and children.  

2Q).

If left untreated, it can result in infertility in both men and women. In women, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) if left untreated.

The patient must be advised to take the drugs as prescribed and complete the course without fail. Doxycycline or tetracycline should be taken along with milk or iron supplements as they chelate divalent ions.

3Q).

The patient must be observed for the symptoms of chlamydia both the early an late phase symptoms. In the follow-up period, she should be examined for the development of opportunistic infections and nutritional deficiencies.