Domestic Violence Counseling Manual - Hot Peach Pages

• Treatment: There is no cure for HSV. A clinician may prescribe acyclovir, famiciclovir, or
valacyclovir. They may speed up the healing of sores and weaken the virus.
7. Pubic Lice
Pubic lice are neither bacterial nor viral. Also called “crabs,” “crab lice,” or “cooties,” pubic lice are
tiny, grayish ectoparasites that breed in the pubic hair and cause intense itching. The pubic louse
attaches itself to the skin around the genitals and lays eggs (nits) on the pubic hair shafts. These nits
can live for one day unattached to humans.
• Transmission: Usually transmitted through contaminated underwear, sleeping bags, sheets or
towels.
• Symptoms: The primary symptom is intense itching in the pubic hair zone. Occasionally the
lice will migrate to the chest, scalp, or underarms.
• Detection: Crabs are diagnosed by a simple physical examination.
• Treatment: Treatment in the form of creams and shampoos are available with or without
examination. All clothes and bedding should be washed in hot water with a scabicide or be
commercially dry-cleaned.
8. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection of the fallopian tubes accompanied by fever,
abdominal pain, and excessive vaginal discharge. PID only affects women.
• Transmission: PID is usually caused by untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea infections. It may
“simmer” for years and then manifest itself.
• Symptoms: PID may be asymptomatic, but is usually characterized by severe to moderate
abdominal pain, fever, chills, and possibly bowel symptoms. It may mimic appendicitis, ureteral
stones, twisted or ruptured ovarian cysts, and other lower abdominal conditions. PID can lead to
infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pain, and even death.
• Detection: PID can be detected through blood cultures and endometrical biopsy.
• Treatment: PID can be treated and cured with antibiotics.
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