SEXUAL TRANSMITTED DISEASE MONTH!

Dear Provider:

 

April is National STD Awareness month!  STD Awareness month is observed to break the silence about the increasing number of sexually transmitted diseases.  Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most commonly reported STDs in Indiana.  In 2011, there were 27,801 cases of Chlamydia and 6,569 cases of gonorrhea reported across all Indiana counties with the majority of cases in the 15-24 year old population.  Current Indiana STD data can be found at:  https://secure.in.gov/isdh/files/STD_Morbidity(3).pdf.

 

In August of 2012, because of the development of resistant strains of gonorrhea and the increased likelihood of coinfection with gonorrhea and Chlamydia, the CDC’s treatment recommendation for gonorrhea was revised.  Persons with a positive test for gonorrhea should receive medication for both gonorrhea AND Chlamydia regardless of Chlamydia test results.  The current treatment recommendation is co-treatment with Ceftriaxone 250 mg IM (first line of treatment for uncomplicated gonorrhea) and either 1 g Azithromycin PO in a single dose, or Doxycycline 100 mg bid X 7 days.  For additional information, including alternative regimens, please refer to:  http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/ 

 

All patients treated for Chlamydia or gonorrhea should be re-tested for these infections within three months of treatment.  Sex partners of patients should be identified, tested, and treated to reduce the number of re-infections.  Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) is an evidence-based and approved treatment delivery option that allows physicians to provide treatment to partners of patients who are unlikely to seek medical care without a physical exam.  Your assistance with the following brief survey on EPT is appreciated!  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CSLCCGN. 

 

I encourage providers to screen patients for STD risk factors, test annually, and treat appropriately. Indiana Administrative Code requires health care providers to report all cases of gonorrhea and chlamydia to the local STD district office within 72 hours.  Local public health workers specially trained in STD (disease intervention specialists, or DIS) may be contacting your office to answer your questions about the new STD treatment guidelines.    Information about where to report STDs in Indiana, as well as EPT, can be found at http://www.in.gov/isdh/17440.htm.

 

Thank you for your help in reducing the transmission of STDs in Indiana.  Please contact Andrea Allen at aallen1@isdh.in.gov for additional information on STD testing, treatment, or data.

 

Sincerely,