From the Guidelines
STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease, which refers to infections that are primarily transmitted through sexual contact, and if you're concerned about STDs, I recommend getting tested regularly if you're sexually active, especially with new partners. Common STDs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, herpes, HPV, and trichomoniasis. Many STDs can be effectively treated with antibiotics if caught early - for example, chlamydia and gonorrhea typically require a course of antibiotics like azithromycin, doxycycline, or ceftriaxone 1. Prevention methods include consistent condom use, limiting sexual partners, and getting vaccinated against preventable STDs like HPV and hepatitis B.
Key Prevention Strategies
- Regular testing for STDs, especially for individuals with new or multiple sexual partners
- Consistent use of condoms to reduce the risk of transmission
- Vaccination against preventable STDs, such as HPV and hepatitis B
- Limiting the number of sexual partners to reduce the risk of exposure It's essential to know that many STDs can be asymptomatic, meaning you can have and transmit an infection without showing symptoms, which is why regular testing is crucial 1. If you experience symptoms like unusual discharge, pain during urination, genital sores, or rashes, seek medical attention promptly for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Importance of Early Detection and Treatment
Early detection and treatment of STDs are critical in preventing long-term complications and reducing the risk of transmission to others 1. Providers should be prepared to assist in notifying partners of patients with STDs and ensuring they receive proper evaluation and treatment. By prioritizing regular testing, prevention strategies, and early detection and treatment, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of acquiring and transmitting STDs.
From the Research
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
- STI rates are increasing for most nationally notifiable disease categories in the United States 2
- The 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention STI guidelines provide updated, evidence-based testing and treatment recommendations 2, 3
- Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the US had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in 2018 4
Treatment of STIs
- The recommended treatment for gonorrhea is ceftriaxone monotherapy given intramuscularly, with dosing based on the patient's body weight 2
- Doxycycline is the preferred treatment for chlamydia 2, 3
- Vaginal trichomoniasis should be treated with a seven-day regimen of metronidazole 2
- Syphilis of less than one year's duration should be treated with a single dose of intramuscular penicillin G benzathine, 2.4 million units 2
Diagnosis of STIs
- Nucleic acid amplification tests have high sensitivities and specificities for the diagnosis of gonorrhea, chlamydia, M genitalium, trichomoniasis, and symptomatic HSV-1 and HSV-2 4
- Serology remains the recommended method to diagnose syphilis, typically using sequential testing to detect treponemal and nontreponemal (antiphospholipid) antibodies 4