Definition

Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis, an acarid ectoparasite transmitted by close personal contact. Lesions of scabies acquired sexually usually occur on the genitalia, lower trunk and thighs.

Clinical features

Symptoms begin about 4 weeks after primary infestation. People who have previously been infected and sensitised may develop irritation in a [...]

The classification system devised by the Centers for Disease Control (USA) in 1987 for the reporting of HIV infection has been adopted for use in Australia. It comprises four mutually exclusive clinical groups. Persons classified in a particular group should not be reclassified in a preceding group if clinical findings resolve.

Group I — Acute illness

About [...]

The diagnosis of syphilis depends on a detailed history, careful clinical examination and specific investigations. Underlying these is the need to THINK of the possibility of syphilis. It is also important to investigate patients with syphilis for concurrent STDs.

Syphilis is classified clinically into early or late stages which relate to infectivity and are the [...]

Rolitetracycline (Reverin) 275 mg intravenously twice daily until able to

tolerate oral tetracycline (such as doxycycline 100 mg twice daily) for a total treatment period of 2 to 4 weeks

AND, IF PENICILLIN SENSITIVE N GONORRHOEA IS EXPECTED, Amoxycillin sodium 1 g intravenously every 6 hours until able to tolerate

oral amoxycillin 500 mg 3 times daily for [...]

Prompt diagnosis of STD is important. These diseases can have serious    implications for the patient and the patient’s sexual contacts. Many can

be effectively treated. STDs have variable manifestations including not only genitourinary symptoms and signs but also extragenital lesions or systemic illness. The diagnosis of STD depends on a detailed history, careful clinical examination and specific [...]

Another myth is that unless a man has sexual intercourse during an encounter, the experience is inadequate and the man a sexual failure. This myth echoes the complaint of women that all men think about is ‘getting it in and having an orgasm’, and that mutual pleasuring is a useful means of achieving that goal, [...]

The myth that men should not have or express emotions, such as tenderness, crying, and touching, or the myth that a man should be ‘performance oriented’ in sex. This myth encourages men to believe that a man’s performance in sex is all important as, through his prowess, he ‘gives’ the woman an orgasm. It encourages [...]

Unfortunately, all too few parents are sufficiently comfortable with their own bodies and sufficiently secure in their own sexuality to be helpful to their young children. Few are able to let their children see them naked, fewer still are able to talk about sexuality and to respond to the child’s curiosity about sex. Because of [...]

Don’t be evasive when a child asks questions about sexuality or sexual behaviour. If you are evasive or, worse, if you punish the child for asking, you will give it the message that sex is something unpleasant. Because children are curious they will find out from their age-mates, who generally have rather inaccurate information.

Don’t try [...]