STD: What's New?
Things are changing in the world of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) all the time.
New events, conferences, resources, and even new diagnostic, treatment, and prevention recommendations occur regularly.
Below is an example of what is going on in Wisconsin and elsewhere.
Order free at-home HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) test kits while limited supplies last!
Wisconsin residents 18 years or older can order free test kits for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis.
Clinical and laboratory guidance for suspected treatment failure among patients treated for gonorrhea
In August 2023, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) issued a memo on monitoring for suspected gonorrhea treatment failure. This guidance is especially for those providing treatment and case management for individuals diagnosed with gonorrhea infection.
New 2021 STD treatment guidelines from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
CDC has recently published new 2021 treatment guidelines that replace the 2015 guidance.
CDC recommends new treatment for gonorrhea
New CDC treatment recommendations for uncomplicated gonorrhea infections were published on Dec. 18, 2020, and now recommend treatment for uncomplicated gonorrhea infection with a single dose of 500mg of ceftriaxone IM. The preferred treatment for coinfection with chlamydia if not ruled out is 100mg of doxycycline two times per day for seven days. A test of cure (TOC) is recommended for all gonococcal infections of the pharynx. Changes in Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS) and on the report form to accommodate documentation for the new recommendations are in process.
Visit the CDC website for more information and rationale for these new recommendations.
New podcast episode – Exploring the new CDC guidelines for gonorrhea treatment
In a new episode of The Family Planning Files podcast, the National Clinical Training Center for Family Planning (NCTCFP) sat down with Dr. Hilary Reno to discuss the treatment guidelines for gonorrhea released by the CDC in December 2020.
Laboratory director's letter
The Chief Medical Office for the Bureau of Communicable Diseases, Dr. Westergaard and the STI unit have created a letter to help laboratory directors with syphilis testing and reporting. View a copy of the letter Reporting of Treponemal and Non-Treponemal Syphilis Testing and the Correct Syphilis Testing Algorithm for CDC Defined Reverse Sequence Syphilis Testing.