In all the chapters the Case Studies represent situations similar to those that the medical assistant may encounter in daily practice. Students are encouraged to consider the case study as they read each chapter.

Last week, a 27-year-old female came to the doctor's office complaining of abnormal vaginal discharge, pain during urination, and pain in her abdominopelvic area. Her symptoms have been occurring for a couple of weeks but have recently started to get worse. She says that her sexual partner also has abnormal discharge coming from his penis but is not experiencing any pain. The doctor diagnoses her with a urinary tract infection and a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. The doctor also tells the patient that she has peritonitis, which is inflammation in the abdominopelvic cavity. The patient is treated with antibiotics and pain medication. The doctor tells her that her sexual partner must also be treated with antibiotics.

As you read this chapter, consider the following questions:

1. What sexually transmitted diseases are caused by bacteria?

2. How did the infection spread to the patient's abdominopelvic cavity?

3. Why is her sexual partner not experiencing pain in his abdominopelvic cavity?

4. Why is it important for her sexual partner to be treated with antibiotics?

5. Why is it common for women with sexually transmitted diseases to also have urinary tract infections?