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Martha's Case: The Unwelcome Phone Call
Question 11
Martha does not want to be treated until she knows who first passed on the infection. How should you approach this situation?
- Ignore Martha's concerns and insist that she be treated.
- Indicate to Martha that she must have passed on the infection because her partner has had symptoms and signs since their sexual contact.
- Explain to Martha that because people can often carry STI without signs and symptoms they can unknowingly pass the infection onto sexual partners. This can make it very difficult to determine who gave what to whom. The important issue is making sure those who need treatment get it.
- Reassure Martha by telling her that it must have been her partner who passed on the infection because she has no symptoms or signs.
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