HIV Prophylaxis for Victims of Sexual Assault
HIV Prophylaxis for Victims of Sexual Assault
Recommendation: For sexual assault victims, clinicians should offer prophylactic medication to prevent gonococcal and chlamydial infections. Routine baseline testing for STIs is not recommended in cases of sexual assault. (AIII)
In cases of sexual assault, all patients are offered prophylactic medication to prevent gonorrhea and chlamydia infection given the high rates of infection after assault. Trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis can be diagnosed or excluded in the emergency department if microscopy is available; otherwise empiric treatment should be administered. Routine testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis is not recommended at the initial exam in the setting of sexual assault because results of that testing would determine whether the patient had an STI prior to the assault. This information can be used to bias a jury against a victim in court.
Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections Other Than HIV
Recommendation: For sexual assault victims, clinicians should offer prophylactic medication to prevent gonococcal and chlamydial infections. Routine baseline testing for STIs is not recommended in cases of sexual assault. (AIII)
In cases of sexual assault, all patients are offered prophylactic medication to prevent gonorrhea and chlamydia infection given the high rates of infection after assault. Trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis can be diagnosed or excluded in the emergency department if microscopy is available; otherwise empiric treatment should be administered. Routine testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis is not recommended at the initial exam in the setting of sexual assault because results of that testing would determine whether the patient had an STI prior to the assault. This information can be used to bias a jury against a victim in court.