Pediatric Cervicitis Follow-up
- Author: Latha Chandran, MBBS, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Andrea L Zuckerman, MD more...
Further Outpatient Care
- Gonococcal cultures are recommended 4-8 weeks after standard treatment or one week after alternative regimens are used.
- Routine "test of cure" for chlamydial eradication is not indicated after treatment except in pregnant women; however, repeat testing is advised fro all women 3-6 months after treatment of cervicitis due to the risk of reinfection.
- Routine annual screening for chlamydial infection is recommended in all sexually active adolescents because of the high prevalence among asymptomatic females.
- Treat sexual partners.
Complications
- Ascending infection
- Arthritis, rash, or both (from disseminated gonorrhea)
Prognosis
- The prognosis is excellent when the patient is compliant.
Patient Education
- Instruct patients to avoid sexual intercourse until treatment efficacy is confirmed.
- Instruct patients how to prevent reinfection by using condoms.
- Recommend prevention counseling to patients with sexually transmitted infections.
- Recommend that patients receive screening for other diseases, including HIV infection and syphilis.
- For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Women's Health Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Cervicitis.
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