From the Guidelines
Partner treatment is crucial for several sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, 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
- For chlamydia, partners should receive azithromycin 1g as a single dose or doxycycline 100mg twice daily for 7 days.
- Gonorrhea treatment for partners typically involves ceftriaxone 500mg as a single intramuscular injection, sometimes combined with azithromycin.
- Trichomoniasis requires metronidazole 2g as a single dose or 500mg twice daily for 7 days for partners.
- Syphilis partner treatment depends on the stage but usually involves benzathine penicillin G injections.
Importance of Partner Treatment
Partners should be treated regardless of whether they show symptoms, as many STIs can be asymptomatic while still being transmissible 1. This approach, called expedited partner therapy (EPT), is particularly important because untreated partners often lead to reinfection of the initially treated person.
Benefits of Partner Treatment
Partner treatment breaks the cycle of transmission and helps prevent complications like pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and increased risk of HIV transmission 1. It is essential to ensure that sex partners are evaluated and treated promptly to prevent further transmission and reduce the risk of long-term complications.
From the FDA Drug Label
Urethritis and cervicitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Genital ulcer disease in men due to Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid). All patients with sexually-transmitted urethritis or cervicitis should have a serologic test for syphilis and appropriate cultures for gonorrhea performed at the time of diagnosis. Appropriate antimicrobial therapy and follow-up tests for these diseases should be initiated if infection is confirmed
The STIs that require partner treatment are:
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- Haemophilus ducreyi (chancroid)
- Syphilis Partner treatment is necessary to prevent the spread of these infections and to ensure that all infected individuals receive appropriate treatment 2.
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 3, 4, 5
- Chlamydia: Partner treatment is necessary to prevent reinfection and reduce the risk of complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease 3, 4, 5
- Syphilis: Partner treatment is crucial to prevent the spread of the disease and reduce the risk of complications, such as congenital syphilis 3, 4, 6, 5
- Trichomoniasis: Partner treatment is recommended to prevent reinfection and reduce the risk of complications 3, 5
- Genital herpes: While there is no cure for genital herpes, partner treatment with antiviral medications can help reduce the risk of transmission 6, 5
- Mycoplasma genitalium: Partner treatment is necessary to prevent reinfection and reduce the risk of complications 5
- Chancroid: Partner treatment is essential to prevent the spread of the disease and reduce the risk of complications 4, 6
- Lymphogranuloma venereum: Partner treatment is necessary to prevent the spread of the disease and reduce the risk of complications 4
- Donovanosis: Partner treatment is recommended to prevent the spread of the disease and reduce the risk of complications 4
Importance of Partner Treatment
Partner treatment is essential to: