For sore throats, I just give them Tantum (an oral mouthwash) if they REALLY want something.
For the erythromycin and tetracycline ointments - in Alberta, it is standard of care to give Erythromycin ointment to all newborns to reduce the risk of Gonococcal Opthalmia and blindness. It's not anything specifically directed at the patient, but STIs are generally more prevalent than the general population expects.
It is expected that 1 in 4 people have some form of STI at any given time.
Check out this cross-sectional study data:
Cross-sectional data from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) indicate 24 percent of female adolescents aged 14 to 19 years had laboratory evidence of at least one of the following sexually transmitted diseases (STD): human papillomavirus (HPV, 18 percent), Chlamydia trachomatis (4 percent), Trichomonas vaginalis (3 percent), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2, 2 percent), or Neisseria gonorrhoeae [1]. Among girls who reported ever having had sex, 40 percent had laboratory evidence of one of the four STD, predominantly HPV (30 percent) and chlamydia (7 percent).
The majority of people that I get a positive result in (usually chlamydia, sometimes gonorrhea, sometimes Herpes), are usually in absolute shock. Remember to use protection!!! Herpes and Genital warts have no definitive treatment and can be with you for the rest of your life!
Bottom line - be careful people!!!
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