High syphilis rates among cocaine abusers identified in an emergency department

Article Abstract:

The high incidence of syphilis among cocaine users indicates that drug histories may be helpful in identifying patients with asymptomatic syphilis. The syphilis epidemic has been linked with the increasing use of crack and resulting changes in sexual behavior in poor, urban areas. Of 102 emergency room patients who admitted to using cocaine, nine were diagnosed with new cases of syphilis and 20 had been previously treated for syphilis. Of the 24 women tested, 58% had new or previously diagnosed syphilis compared with 19% of the men. The eight women who admitted to prostitution had higher rates of new or previously diagnosed syphilis than those who did not. There was no difference in the incidence of syphilis among users who used crack cocaine, injected cocaine or inhaled cocaine. Relying on partner referral to control the syphilis outbreak when people cannot or refuse to name their partners is not effective, so new methods of identifying people with syphilis should be pursued.

Health aspects, Risk factors, Syphilis, Cocaine abuse

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Incision and drainage versus aspiration of fluctuant buboes in the emergency department during an epidemic of chancroid

Article Abstract:

Surgical cutting, draining, and packing of chancroid buboes may be a preferable treatment over withdrawing the chancroid fluid through a needle. Chancroid is a sexually transmitted bacterial disease that can produce fluid-filled masses called buboes in the genital region. Buboes left untreated can break open and destroy surrounding tissue. Researchers compared the outcome of treating 27 presumed chancroid patients with buboes by either cutting, draining, and packing the mass or withdrawing the fluid through a needle. None of the 12 patients who had their buboes surgically cut, drained, and packed required further treatment. Six of the 15 patients treated with needle draining required repeated treatment. Recovery time was similar for both groups (7-10 days). Only 32% of the patients tested positive for the bacteria causing chancroid.

Evaluation, Surgery, Lymph nodes, Abscess, Drainage, Surgical, Abscess drainage, Drainage (Surgical), Lymph node excision, Suction (Medical care), Suction, Chancroid

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Self-treatment patterns among clients attending sexually transmitted clinics and the effect of self-treatment on STD symptom duration

Article Abstract:

It appears that patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) frequently begin their own treatment at home but seek prompt medical treatment for sores on their genitalia. Home treatment patterns were evaluated by interview among 2,508 patients seeking medical treatment for an STD. Overall, 21.8% of the patients had begun some form of self-treatment at home, most frequently using over the counter medications. Patients self-treating an STD involving a genital sore sought medical care as quickly as those not self-treating. Many of those treating themselves were women, African-American, or older than 30 years of age.

Statistics, Self-care, Health, Self care (Health)

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