Clinical case of a sexually transmitted infection Essay 2022

Clinical case of a sexually transmitted infection
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CLINICAL CASE OF A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

Clinical case of a sexually transmitted infection
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Introduction
Sexually transmitted infections are increasingly rising amongst populations and are
mainly caused by people engaging in risky sexual behaviors. HSV is not a reportable disease in
Australia and therefore accurate incidence numbers are unclear. Herpes simplex virus is a
common sexually transmitted infection that has a tendency to persist despite medication.
Medication can prevent passing the infection to partners or shorten outbreaks. In the case study
of Justin, he has been diagnosed with herpes simplex virus type 1. HSV 1 is commonly
associated with oral infection but has been increasingly associated with genital infection, HSV
type 2 is the primary cause of genital infection. The aim of this essay is to critically analyze a
case study involving a patient with a sexually transmitted infection. It will focus on the necessary
nursing assessments that need to be conducted as well as the patient’s education needs.
Relevant assessments required in the case study of Justin
There are a number of relevant nursing assessments and diagnostic tests that are
important to perform in order to establish an accurate diagnosis and efficiently manage the
patient. Treatment should commence if symptoms are present before conclusion of test results
received to reduce prevention of disease transmission and symptom duration. The need to
perform certain tests is guided by what the patient complains of as well as a comprehensive
history of the associated symptoms and a physical examination (Brown, et al. 2015). Justin
presents with blisters on the shaft of his penis. This complaint follows after having unprotected
sex 10 days ago. Symptoms of HSV usually present 5-14 days post infection. On general
physical examination, positive findings included a slight rise in the body temperature and a slight
enlargement of glands on his groins.

Clinical case of a sexually transmitted infection
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The relevant assessments and diagnostic tests for this patient due to suspected herpes
simplex infection include swap testing of tissue specimen from the lesions and blood tests that
assist in identifying antibodies for the virus. The swab testing involves a viral culture test of a
sample from the lesions. In this case, a swab would be taken from the blisters on the penis of the
patient then taken to the laboratory for a viral culture or a nucleic acid amplification test in order
to identify the virus. This type of culture test allows the virus to grow in lab settings and become
identifiable since viruses are discrete pathogens (McKenna & Mirkov, 2014). The nucleic acid
amplification test usually tests for the genetic material of the virus and this confirms the type of
the virus (Bullock & Hales, 2012). These tests are quite reliable as they help to confirm the
underlying cause of the lesion. They are therefore gold standard tests whereby the lesions are
visible in form of blisters or wounds. Scrapings of the vesicle lesions as well as fluid substances
from the blisters can be used in viral cultures to confirm presence of the virus.
The other diagnostic test that is useful for a patient suspected to have herpes is a blood
test. Herpes. These tests are mainly used in cases where there are no visible symptoms and in an
attempt to confirm the type of virus subtype. According to Yarbrough & Burnham, (2016),
they look for antibodies present in the body against the herpes virus. IgG is the main antibody
that is put into consideration when testing for the herpes simplex virus. The antibodies serve to
confirm a recent or past infection in the body. There are two types of blood tests performed. The
general herpes blood test that serves to confirm the presence of any type of herpes virus
(nonspecific) and the type-specific blood test that serves to distinguish between herpes simplex
type 1 and type 2. The western blot test is one of the common blood test performed and normally
confirms the presence of the virus 1 to 3 months from onset of symptoms (Bullock & Manias,
2016). The expected results that confirm the presence of herpes simplex virus in the body for