informing a patient of herpes exposure

klone, MSN, RN · Nov 11, 2013

By "exposure" what exactly do you mean? Do you mean they test positive? I guess I would need clarification on what you mean by "exposure" in order to better answer your question. Perhaps that's why there is confusion.

I have to give positive STI results to patients on a nearly daily basis. With the exception of Hepatitis and HIV, we do it over the phone. I just say "Hi, the lab results from your visit last week came back, and you tested positive for XYZ. Do you understand what XYZ is?" and then I explain what it is, I explain that it is trasmitted through sexual intercourse, I explain how it is treated (generally, a course of antibiotics or in the case of an active HSV outbreak, a course of acyclovir), I explain if there are any other things they need to be aware of, such as the need to refrain from sex for a period of time after treatment, or if they may experience future outbreaks and what to do for them, such as in the case of HSV. I tend to be matter of fact, because I don't want them to think it's a death sentence or something that's horrific or that they need to be ashamed about.

joyfullpn · Nov 11, 2013

Thanks for the tips. When blood test show positive for hsv but they don't have an active outbreak or never had an outbreak the providers like me to word it as you don't have active HSV but you have been exposed to it. Then I get is there a cure question and how do I have it if I don't have an outbreak. I think it may be my word play now that I'm seeing it all typed out. ;-)