From the Guidelines
Partner treatment is crucial for several sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis, to prevent reinfection and reduce transmission. The most recent and highest quality study 1 emphasizes the importance of treating sex partners of patients with these infections.
Key Points to Consider
- Chlamydia and Gonorrhea require partner treatment, with partners being evaluated and treated for both infections if the patient's last sexual contact was within 60 days before onset of symptoms or diagnosis 1.
- For Chlamydia, partners should receive azithromycin 1g as a single dose or doxycycline 100mg twice daily for 7 days.
- Gonorrhea requires ceftriaxone 500mg as a single intramuscular injection for partners.
- Syphilis partners need benzathine penicillin G, with the dosage depending on the stage of infection.
- Expedited partner therapy (EPT) is recommended when partners are unlikely to seek treatment independently, as it helps break the cycle of reinfection and reduces the overall burden of STIs in the community.
Importance of Partner Treatment
Partner treatment is essential to prevent reinfection and reduce transmission, as many STIs can be asymptomatic while still being transmissible 1.
Treatment Approaches
- Patients should be instructed to refer their sex partners for evaluation and treatment, and healthcare providers should assist in developing cooperative approaches to refer partners for treatment 1.
- Health-care providers who treat female patients for Chlamydia should offer examination and treatment services for the patients' male sex partner(s), or should arrange the appropriate referral of such partners 1.
From the Research
STIs Requiring Partner Treatment
The following STIs require partner treatment:
- Gonorrhea: Partner treatment is essential to prevent reinfection and reduce the risk of complications 2, 3, 4
- Chlamydia: Partner treatment is necessary to prevent reinfection and reduce the risk of complications, especially in cases of rectal chlamydia 2, 5, 4
- Syphilis: Partner treatment is crucial to prevent reinfection and reduce the risk of complications, especially in cases of early syphilis 2, 3, 5, 4
- Trichomoniasis: Partner treatment is recommended to prevent reinfection and reduce the risk of complications 2, 4
- Mycoplasma genitalium: Partner treatment is necessary to prevent reinfection and reduce the risk of complications 4
- Genital herpes: While there is no cure for genital herpes, partner treatment with antiviral medications can help reduce the risk of transmission 5, 4
Importance of Partner Treatment
Partner treatment is essential to: