Patient education: Care after sexual assault in adults – ED discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — 

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").

What should I know? — 

You came to the ED for care after a sexual assault. Sexual assault, or sexual violence, is any sex act done on a person without their consent. "Consent" means wanting and agreeing to do something.

The assault was not your fault. You might feel anger, shame, or guilt. You might feel depressed, or be scared or embarrassed. All these feelings are normal.

How do I care for myself at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also do the following:

●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. They will want to see you in 1 to 2 weeks to check how you are healing. They might also do tests to check for pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections ("STIs"), including HIV.

●Take all your medicines as instructed. The doctors might have given you medicines to prevent pregnancy (called "emergency contraception") or STIs. It is very important to finish all the medicine, even if you start to feel better.

●Use a condom if you choose to have sex within the next few months. That way, your partner(s) will be protected if you have an infection.

●Ask for help if you do not feel safe at home. Your doctor or a social worker can give you resources.

●Talk to someone you trust like a friend or family member. You can also contact a rape crisis hotline or sexual assault survivors' group. They can help you understand and cope with your feelings.

•In the US, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673). Help is also available online at centers.rainn.org.

●If you decided not to report the assault to the police, you can still change your mind later and file a report.

●Find out about "victim assistance services." Some states in the US have programs that give advice on reporting, the legal system, and financial compensation. Your doctor, nurse, or counselor can help get you information about this.

When should I get emergency help?

●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:

•You think you might harm yourself or someone else. In the US, you can also contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:

-To speak to someone, call or text 988.

-To talk to someone online, go to chat.988lifeline.org.

●Return to the ED if:

•You have sudden severe belly pain, or constant belly pain.

•Your belly becomes very hard or swollen.

•You have bleeding that is not getting better or gets worse.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for advice if you:

●Have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills

●Have pain when urinating

●Have pain in your lower belly that does not improve or gets worse

●Have blood in your urine or bowel movements

●Have genital itching, burning, sores, or discharge

●Are struggling with depression or anxiety

●Have thoughts of guilt, fear, or shame that do not go away

●Think you could be pregnant

●Have new or worsening symptoms

More on this topic

Patient education: Care after sexual assault (The Basics)
Patient education: Emergency contraception (The Basics)
Patient education: Pregnancy symptoms (The Basics)
Patient education: Sexually transmitted infections (The Basics)
Patient education: Intimate partner violence (The Basics)
Patient education: Coping with worry and stress (The Basics)

Patient education: Care after sexual assault (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Emergency contraception (Beyond the Basics)