What is the correct, legal, and ethical way to respond to a patient you have diagnosed
with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) from an extra-marital affair and requests
that you do not report the condition to the spouse or other intimate partners? There
are several ethical considerations in this kind of scenario to consider including
patient confidentiality and autonomy versus the spouse's beneficence and non-maleficence.1,2 Not treating some STDs (like syphilis) can result in severe long-term consequences
and even death. Even if this patient has a less severe form of STD, like genital Herpes simplex or genital warts, STDs are communicable, and not disclosing such information to intimate
partners can cause harm to others. What role does the physician have in stopping the
spread of STDs and protecting a patient's partner or partners? Herein we will provide
a framework for physicians to approach this kind of scenario in an ethical manner.
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Article info
Publication history
Publication stage
In Press Accepted ManuscriptFootnotes
Edited by Stephen P. Stone, MD
Funding sources: None.
Conflicts of Interest: None disclosed.
Abbreviations used: STD: sexually transmitted disease
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© 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
