Sexually Transmitted Disease Information for Providers

Case Reporting

Licensed medical providers are required to report every case of PID, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis (all stages), LGV, chancroid and granuloma inguinale within 4 days of diagnosis. Complete and return an STD Case Report Form to the STD Program.

Partner Services

When a case of infectious syphilis or gonorrhea is reported, partner services (which include eliciting names of partners, notification of partners, risk counseling, and referral for clinical services) will be provided by public health professionals.

In addition, expedited partner therapy (EPT) is now available under Rhode Island law as an option for providing partner treatment (primarily recommended for chlamydia) without the requirement of an examination. The Sexually Transmitted Disease Program has developed EPT guidelines to empower clinical practitioners to implement this law.

Referring Patients to Specialty Services

There are several places in Rhode Island where you may refer patients for STD services such as testing, treatment, and vaccination. Healthcare providers at these sites may charge a co-pay, sliding scale fee, or full fee for services rendered. Lab services may be an additional charge.

Treatment Guidelines

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2010 address the treatment of persons who have or are at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). They were updated by CDC after consultation with a group of professionals knowledgeable in the field of STDs who met in Atlanta on April 18–30, 2009. The information in this report updates the 2006 Guidelines for Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (MMWR 2006;55[No. RR–11]). Included in these updated guidelines is new information regarding 1) the expanded diagnostic evaluation for cervicitis and trichomoniasis; 2) new treatment recommendations for bacterial vaginosis and genital warts; 3) the clinical efficacy of azithromycin for chlamydial infections in pregnancy; 4) the role of Mycoplasma genitalium and trichomoniasis in urethritis/cervicitis and treatment-related implications; 5) lymphogranuloma venereum proctocolitis among men who have sex with men; 6) the criteria for spinal fluid examination to evaluate for neurosyphilis; 7) the emergence of azithromycin-resistant Treponema pallidum; 8) the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae; 9) the sexual transmission of hepatitis C; 10) diagnostic evaluation after sexual assault; and 11) STD prevention approaches.

Table of Contents

Summary (2 page reference)

Training for Providers

Nationally, the CDC offers courses in STD prevention, continuing clinical management, behavioral intervention training, including easily accessible continuing education courses online.

Regionally, the STD/HIV Prevention Training Center of New England (305 South Street, Stables Building, 2nd Floor, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130) offers core training programs in STD clinical training, behavioral intervention, and partner services.