CONTENTS
Chapters
- The Toll of STDs
- Reducing the Toll of STDs
- Managing STDs
- Diagnostic and Treatment Tips
- Getting Services to the People
- Getting People to Services
- Promoting Prevention—Condoms and Monogamy
HIGHLIGHTS
Population Reports is published by the Population Information Program, Center for Communication Programs, The
Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 111 Market Place, Suite 310, Baltimore, Maryland
21202-4012, USA
Volume XXI, Number 1
June, 1993 |
Diagnostic and Treatment Tips
WHO has developed STD diagnosis and treatment flow
charts—step-by-step pathways using the syndromic approach to
help primary health care providers manage STD patients. The wall
chart accompanying this issue of Population Reports displays the
flow charts for the four most common syndromes caused by STDs:
- Genital ulcer in a man or woman,
- Urethral discharge in a man,
- Vaginal discharge, and
- Lower abdominal pain in a woman.
To use the flow charts, providers follow the path that
corresponds to the patient's syndrome. For example, if a patient
has genital ulcers and they look like small blisters, the left
path under "Genital Ulcer" should be followed. If, however, the
ulcer looks more like an open sore, the right path should be
followed. Recommended treatments are listed below each flow
chart. One side of the wall chart is used for diagnosis based
entirely on syndromes. The other side of the chart is used when a
microscope is available to supplement syndromic diagnosis.
The following diagnostic and treatment tips for each STD can
help providers to improve their management of STD patients. They
should be used along with the accompanying wall chart. |