Both Chlamydia Trachomatis and Neisseria Gonorrhea are bacterially-based sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). The primary way that Chlamydia trachomatis is transmitted is through sexual interaction. It is one of the most prevalent STIs and can affect both men and women. Chlamydia can cause several symptoms. They include discomfort or burning when urinating, discharge from the sexual organs, and pain or bleeding during sexual activity (Gaydos et al., 2019).
Like chlamydia, gonorrhea frequently goes undetected, but when it does, signs might include discomfort or burning when urinating, discharge from the genitals, and pain or bleeding during sexual activity (Gaydos et al., 2019). Gonorrhea can create significant health issues, including PID in women, which can impair fertility if not treated.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for Chlamydia Trachomatis and Neisseria Gonorrhea in sexually active women younger than 25. In their research, Gaydos et al. (2019) identified that treatment for patients infected with either chlamydia or gonorrhea was 98% successful for those screened at the age of 25 years.
These results correlate with the specifications identified by the CDC, which state that women younger or older than 25 should be screened for the two diseases to minimize risks of infection (Gaydos et al., 2019). Moreover, USPSTF instructed those men who have sex with other men to be analyzed for rectal and pharyngeal gonorrhea.
A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) would diagnose Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhea by taking a patient’s medical history, performing a physical examination, and collecting samples for laboratory testing.
Gaydos et al. (2019) stated that the sexual history part of the patient should include the number of partners they have, the use of contraceptives, and other obstetrics and gynecological questions involved. Additionally, the FNP would perform a pelvic examination in women and examine the genitals, rectum, and throat in men, looking for signs of infection such as discharge, sores, or inflammation.
References
Gaydos, C. A., Ako, M. C., Lewis, M., Hsieh, Y. H., Rothman, R. E., & Dugas, A. F. (2019). Use of a rapid diagnostic for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae for women in the emergency department can improve clinical management: report of a randomized clinical trial. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 74(1), 36-44. Web.