Recommendations for managing sexually transmitted infections

Abstract

The Nurse Practitioner • April 2022 11 he CDC released updates to clinical guidelines on prevention of sexually transmitted infection (STIs) in 2021, the fi rst comprehensive guidelines proposed since the CDC's 2015 guidelines. 1 The CO-VID-19 pandemic resulted in a lack of progress in STI prevention and contributed to delayed treatment. Closing of clinics, lack of staff, public fear of seeking preventive care, and the view that STI care is not essential contributed to decreased STI services. 1,2 Catch-up services are critical to prevent widening health disparities in STI prevalence rates. The CDC has published guidance to assist providers in optimizing access to STI prevention and management when patient-provider contact is limited or services are disrupted. 1,2 Guidance on self-testing, telehealth, phone triage, and treatment options for individuals with STI symptoms when clinic visits are not reasonable emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. 1,2 Nationally, health department staff were deployed to COVID-19 response teams as contact tracers. [2][3][4] These activities shifted services away from other core public health services such as STI outreach, prevention, and treatment. In addition, there were shortages of diagnostic testing and lab supplies. Each of these pandemicrelated changes may have impacted STI rates and time to treatment.Populations most burdened by STIs include adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 24 years, racial and ethnic minority groups, and special populations such as men who have sex with