Treatment and Management of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Sexually Assaulted Women

The evaluation and management of the sexually assaulted women is a complex, multifaceted task. The purpose of the medical examination after a sexual assault is to assess the patient for physical injuries, and to collect evidence for forensic evaluation and possible legal proceedings. Laboratory samples should be obtained at the initial visit and should include testing for pregnancy, syphilis, and hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus infections. Treatment should address physical injuries, pregnancy prophylaxis, sexually transmitted diseases and psychosocial sequelae. Appropriate referral services should be initiated during the initial visit. Victims of sexual assault require appropriate care, follow-up, and information regarding their legal rights. The history should be confined to medically relevant facts and should be conducted in a safe and quiet environment. In many emergency departments, however, the emergency room doctors is responsible for the initial evaluation and management. Therefore, it is imperative that the emergency room doctors be familiar with the process and issues specific to the management of the victim of a sexual assault.