II. Epidemiology
- More than 20 million Sexually Transmitted Infections in the U.S. per year (as of 2022)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common U.S. Sexually Transmitted Infection (and preventable with the HPV Vaccine)
- Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common non-viral U.S. Sexually Transmitted Infection
- Chlamydia Trachomatis and Mycoplasma Genitalium are the first and second most common U.S. Sexually Transmitted Infection
III. Risk Factors: High Risk Groups for STD
- Adolescents and young adults (ages 15 to 24 years old)
- Multiple partners
- Sequential monogamy
- Unconcerned
- Uniformity
- Inconsistent Condom use
- Racial or ethnically skewed
- Black: Chlamydia more common
- Homosexual men (or Men who have Sex with Men)
- Transgender Person
- Coasts or Ports of entry
- Prostitutes
- Teenage runaways
- Immigrants
- Low income in urban setting
- Prison Inmate (current or former)
- Military recruits
- Mental Illness
- Injection drug user (IV Drug Abuse)
- Sexual Abuse history
- Sexually Transmitted Infection history
IV. Pathophysiology: Transmission
- Contact
- Secretions
- Mucus membrane
- Skin Abrasion
- Intercourse not necessary for STD transmission
V. Causes
- Sexually Transmitted Disease Genital Ulcers
- See Genital Ulcers (Mnemonic: CHISEL)
- E in CHISEL is Drug Eruption
- Painful Ulcers
- Chancroid
- Herpes Genitalis
- Trichomonas may also cause labial ulcerations
- Non-Painful Ulcers
- See Genital Ulcers (Mnemonic: CHISEL)
- Sexually Transmitted Disease Non-ulcerative
- Bacterial
- See Non-Gonococcal Urethritis
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Syphilis (Secondary or tertiary)
- Viral Infections
- Parasitic Infection
- Pediculosis Pubis
- Scabies (pruritic genital bumps awaken patient)
- Bacterial
- Emerging Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Monkeypox
- Hepatitis A Virus
- Mycoplasma Genitalium
- Zika Virus
- Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)
- Presents with Inguinal Lymphadenopathy or Proctitis
- Shigella flexneri
- Associated with anal sex and oro-anal sex, and presents with severe Diarrhea
- Multi-drug resistant and treatment requires susceptibility testing
- Associated with HIV Infection
- Neisseria Meningitidis
- Colonizes oropharynx of up to 10% of the U.S.
- Colonization of the Urethra, Cervix and Rectum has been found
- As of 2023, symptomatic localized infection responds to single dose Azithromycin or Ceftriaxone
- Cohorts of STI
- Urethritis in men who have sex with women
- Invasive meningococcal disease in Men who have Sex with Men
- Colonizes oropharynx of up to 10% of the U.S.
VI. Findings: Genitourinary Gonorrhea or Chlamydia (Male)
- Symptoms
- Dysuria
- Urinary Frequency
- Urethral meatus discharge
- Urethral Pruritus
- Painful ejaculation
- Signs
- Mucopurulent Urethral discharge
- Unilateral Testicular Pain
- Complications
VII. Findings: Genitourinary Gonorrhea or Chlamydia (Female)
- Symptoms
- Vaginal Discharge
- Postcoital spotting
- Dyspareunia
- Signs
- Genital Ulcers
- Cervicitis
- Erythema of Cervix
- Mucopurulent discharge from Cervical os
- Complications
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Fever, uterine and Adnexal tenderness, cervical motion tenderness, Vaginal Discharge
- Perihepatitis (Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome)
- Pelvic Pain and right upper quadrant pain with fever, Vomiting and abnormal LFTs
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
VIII. Findings: Extra-Genital Gonorrhea or Chlamydia
- Oropharyngeal Findings
- Pharyngitis
- Oropharyngeal exudate
- Cervical Lymphadenitis
- Anorectal Findings (also caused by syphillis, HSV, in addition to GC and Chlamydia)
- Anal Pruritus
- Rectal Pain
- Pain with anorectal intercourse
- Rectal Bleeding
- Rectal discharge
- Tenesmus
- Reactive Arthritis (Reiter's Syndrome)
-
Lymphogranuloma venereum (Chlamydia)
- Unilateral, swollen and tender inguinal or femoral Lymph Nodes
- Ulcer or Papule overlying Lymph Nodes may be present
- Fever
- Rectal symptoms
- Rectal Bleeding
- Rectal mucoid discharge
- Rectal Pain
- Tenesmus
- Constipation
-
Disseminated Gonococcal Infection
- Migratory polyarthritis (asymmetric, Pauciarticular)
- Tenosynovitis
- Fever
- Dermatitis (distal extremity necrotic lesions)
- May be complicated by endocarditis or Meningitis
IX. Precautions
- Only 30% of Sexually Transmitted Infections are symptomatic
-
Dysuria is not synonymous with Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
- Consider Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) in sexually active women presenting with Dysuria
- Urine White Blood Cells and positive Leukocyte esterase are seen in both UTIs as well as STIs
- Extra-genital sites of Gonorrhea and Chlamydia infection are often missed
- Ask a Sexual History including practices, and screen oropharynx and Rectum as indicated
- Urine-Only screening may miss Sexually Transmitted Infection in >80% of patients
- Pharyngeal Gonorrhea in Men who have Sex with Men
- Pharyngeal and Rectal Gonorrhea, and Rectal Chlamydia in women who have sex with men
- Pregnancy-related Sexually Transmitted Infection
- See Chorioamnionitis
- See Postpartum Endometritis
- See TORCH Infection
- STI in pregnancy is high risk for complications (e.g. IUGR, PROM, Stillbirth, preterm birth, neonatal infection)
- Universal screening in all pregnant women under age 25 years at first Prenatal Visit (and often in all women)
- Rescreen pregnant women in 4 weeks after completing STI treatment, and again in 3 months, and third trimester
- Neonatal and Perinatal Sexually Transmitted Infection
- See Perinatal HIV Transmission
- See Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus
- See Perinatal Hepatitis B Exposure
- See Congenital Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- Perinatal Gonorrhea infection affects up to 0.4 cases in 100,000 U.S. live births
- Risk of gonococcal Ophthalmia Neonatorum (risk of newborn blindness if prophylaxis is not used)
- Risk of Disseminated Gonorrhea infection in newborns (e.g. Septic Arthritis, Meningitis, Pneumonia)
- Chlamydia
- Risk of chlamydia Ophthalmia Neonatorum (later presentation than with Gonorrhea)
- Risk of Neonatal Chlamydia Pneumonia
X. Labs: Screening First-Line
- Genitourinary Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Testing
- Tests
- Chlamydia DNA Probe
- Gonorrhea DNA probe
- Sources
- Tests
- Extragenital Testing (pharynx, Rectum) for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
- Several DNA and NAAT are approved for extragenital testing (e.g. Aptima Combo 2, Xpert CT/NG)
- Point-of-care tests are available for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia genitourinary and extra-genital testing
- Binx IO Point-Of-Care Test for female cervical swabs and male urine tests
- High accuracy with results in 30 minutes
- Clebak (2022) Am Fam Physician 106(5): 575-7 [PubMed]
- Binx IO Point-Of-Care Test for female cervical swabs and male urine tests
- Vaginal Exam
- Trichomonas DNA probe
- Replaces Wet Prep which only has a 50 to 65% Test Sensitivity for Trichomonas
- Vaginal Wet Prep
- Positive: Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes (PMNs) >10/hpf
- Efficacy
- Test Sensitivity: 90%
- Test Specificity: 87%
- Reference
- Trichomonas DNA probe
- Broad STI Screening in those at risk, including those testing positive for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
- HIV Test
- Syphilis (RPR)
- Hepatitis B Testing (if not immunized)
- Other Testing to consider
- Consider Urinalysis
- Consider Urine Pregnancy Test
XI. Differential Diagnosis
- Conjunctivitis
-
Urethritis
- See Urethritis
- See Urethritis in Women
- See Urethritis in Men
- See Epididymitis
- See Acute Prostatitis
-
Vaginitis
- See Vaginitis
- See Acute Cervicitis
- See Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Other Findings
XII. Management
- Emergency department empiric treatment
- Initiating empiric treatment for suspected STD prior to results (often delayed days) is appropriate
- Despite risk of overtreatment, treat for suspected Chlamydia and Gonorrhea (prevents spread, complications)
- Gonorrhea management
- Ceftriaxone 500 mg IM/IV for 1 dose (1 gram IM/IV if weight > 150 kg, dose increased in 2020) OR
- Gentamicin 240 mg IM and Azithromycin 2 g orally for one dose OR
- Cefixime 800 mg orally once is an alternative but NOT recommended due to Antibiotic Resistance
- Chlamydia management if not excluded (not indicated for Gonorrhea treatment without Chlamydia as of 2020)
- Doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 7 days (preferred as of 2020) OR
- Azithromycin 1 g orally for 1 dose
- References
- Gonorrhea management
- Avoid sexual contact until Antibiotic course is completed
- Rescreening
- Routinely Rescreen positive STD cases in 3 months to identify new STD infections
- Rescreen pregnant women in 4 weeks after completing treatment, and again in 3 months, and in third trimester
- Only other indicated early rescrening at 7 to 14 days (screening for cure) is for pharyngeal Gonorrhea
- Peterman (2006) Ann Intern Med 145:654-72 [PubMed]
- Clinic Visits
- Symptomatic patients should have in-person clinical examinations
- Consider Telemedicine for Sexually Transmitted Infection screening in asymptomatic patients
- At-home Chlamydia Trachomatis and NeisseriaGonorrhea tests are available (not FDA approved)
- Medical provider or nurse instructed sample self-collection can be instructed on Telemedicine
- At home Test Sensitivity may be lower, but allows for screening more patients with fewer barriers
- Canevale (2021) Sex Transm Dis 48(1): e11-4 [PubMed]
- Fajardo-Bernal (2015) Cochrane Database Syst Rev (9):CD011317 [PubMed]
- Kersh (2021) J Clin Microbiol 59(11): e0264620 [PubMed]
XIII. Management: Expedited Partner Treatment (EPT)
- Empiric STI treatment for an asymptomatic sexual partner of a patient being seen for STI
- Precaution: Legality of Expedited Partner Treatment varies by State in the United States
- http://www.cdc.gov/std/ept/legal/
- As of 2022, permitted in 46-49 states (not legal in South Carolina)
- Patients may anonymously notify their partner
- Ideally sexual partners are seen for their own medical evaluations
- However, delaying their treatment until evaluation risks re-exposing treated patients
- Reinfection rates without EPT are 12-20% in women and 7-16% in men
- CDC asks physicians to consider treating sexual partners of STD patients without a visit
- Employ in cases where sexual partner is unlikely to present for medical care
- Prescription for sexual partner's STD treatment is given to the patient being treated
- Some states may allow prescription labeled for "EPT" or "partner"
- Do not double up on prescription quantity for one patient (write 2 separate prescriptions)
- Policy is endorsed by CDC, ACOG and ACEP (but highly underutilized)
- Example protocol for partner (prescriptions given to patient to bring to partner)
- Provider should ask about partner's medication allergies, other medications and pregnancy
- Written instructions should be given to the patient to convey to their sexual partner
- Patient and their partner should abstain from sex until both have completed Antibiotic course
- Regimen
- Cefixime 800 mg (if partner will be seen, Ceftriaxone 500 mg IM/IV is preferred) AND
- Azithromycin 1 gram orally (or preferred option is Doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 7 days)
- References
XIV. Prevention: Including Post-exposure Prophylaxis
- Consistent Condom Use
- Vaccination
- STI Postexposure Prophylaxis
- See Sexual Assault
- See Doxy PEP below
- HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis
- Other measures
- HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis (HIV PrEP)
- Expedited Partner Treatment (see above)
XV. Prevention: Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (Doxy PEP)
- Encourage safe sex practices (e.g. Condoms, and other PEP/PREP)
- Indications
- Bacterial STI in the last year (Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia) AND
- Specific high risk patients
- Men who have Sex with Men (MSM)
- Transgender women (TGW)
- Protocol
- See Doxycycline for precautions (take with 8 oz fluid, avoid with Antacids, use Sunscreen)
- Patient takes 200 mg Doxycycline as soon as possible after sex (oral, vaginal, anal) and within 72 hours
- Limit to one dose in 24 hours
- Efficacy
- NNT 3 to prevent one Bacterial STI per year
- References
- Stewart (2022) Trials 23(1):495 +PMID: 35710444 [PubMed]
- Luetkemeyer (2022) AIDS 2022 Conference Abstract
XVI. Prevention: Screening Asymptomatic Patients (USPTF guidelines)
- See Risk Factors listed above
- Behavioral counseling (proper Condom use, safe sex, difficult sexual situations)
- All sexually active adolescents
- Adults at risk for Sexually Transmitted Infection
- Emphasize barrier protection (e.g. Condoms) as best method to prevent Sexually Transmitted Infection during sex
-
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia screening
- All sexually active adolescents 24 years old and younger every year (and repeated 3 months after positive testing)
- Women at risk for Sexually Transmitted Infection
- Pregnancy age <= 24 years or any age if high risk (at first visit, and if risk then repeat in third trimester)
- Men who have Sex with Men (consider rectal and pharyngeal screening as well)
- Correctional facilities at intake (men age <30 years, women age <35 years)
-
HIV Screening
- All patients ages 15 years old to 65 years old (or if risks)
- All pregnant women at first Prenatal Visit (or at time of delayed presentation)
-
Hepatitis B
Virus Screening
- All pregnant women at first Prenatal Visit (or at time of delayed presentation)
- Patients at risk of infection
- Immigrants from sub-sahara Africa, Central and Southeast Asia, China (esp. unimmunized)
- Household HBV Contacts
-
Syphilis Screening
- All pregnant women at first Prenatal Visit (or at time of delayed presentation)
- Patients at risk of infection
- Herpes Simplex Virus Infection Screening
- References
XVII. Resources: Patients
- CDC National STD Hotline (CDC)
- http://www.cdc.gov/std/
- Phone: 800-232-4636
- Expedited Partner Treatment (CDC)
- Information from your Family Doctor: Prevent AIDS
- Inspot.Org (annonymously notify others of STD exposure)
- DontSpreadIt.Com (annonymously notify others of STD exposure)
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Related Studies
Definition (MEDLINEPLUS) |
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that you can get from having sex with someone who has the infection. The causes of STDs are bacteria, parasites and viruses. There are more than 20 types of STDs, including Most STDs affect both men and women, but in many cases the health problems they cause can be more severe for women. If a pregnant woman has an STD, it can cause serious health problems for the baby. If you have an STD caused by bacteria or parasites, your health care provider can treat it with antibiotics or other medicines. If you have an STD caused by a virus, there is no cure. Sometimes medicines can keep the disease under control. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading STDs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
Definition (NCI_FDA) | Any contagious disease acquired during sexual contact; e.g. syphilis, gonorrhea, chancroid. |
Definition (NCI) | A disorder acquired through sexual contact. |
Definition (CSP) | diseases due to or propagated by sexual contact. |
Definition (MSH) | Diseases due to or propagated by sexual contact. |
Concepts | Disease or Syndrome (T047) |
MSH | D012749 |
ICD9 | 099.9 |
ICD10 | A50-A64.9 , A64, A50-A64 |
SnomedCT | 8098009, 186831003, 186949002, 266208003, 187367009, 154378004, 187348005, 276972005 |
LNC | MTHU026192 |
English | Disease, Sexually Transmitted, Diseases, Sexually Transmitted, Diseases, Venereal, Sexually Transmitted Disease, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Venereal Diseases, Disease, Venereal, VD, Disea w predom sex mod transm, Infections with a predomin, Infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmiss, Infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission, STD - Sexually transmitted dis, Unspcf sexual transmitd dis, Unspecified sexually transmitted disease, Venereal disease NOS, Venereal disease, unspecified, [X]Infections with a predomin, [X]Infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmiss, [X]Infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission, [X]Unspcf sexual transmitd dis, [X]Unspecified sexually transmitted disease, SEX TRANSM DIS, VENEREAL DIS, Sexually transmitted disease, NOS, sexually transmitted disease (diagnosis), venereal disease, sexually transmitted disease, VD (venereal disease), Sexually transmitted infection, Sexually transmitted disease NOS, Sexually Transmitted Diseases [Disease/Finding], sexually transmitted diseases, vds, diseases venereal, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), disease sexually transmit, disease venereal, sexually transmitted disease (STD), Disease;sexually transmitted, venereal diseases, disease sexually transmitted, diseases sexually transmitted, Infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission (A50-A64), Sexually Transmitted Infection, Venereal Disease, Sexually transmitted infections, Venereal disease NOS (disorder), Venereal diseases, [X]Infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission (disorder), [X]Unspecified sexually transmitted disease (disorder), Venereal disease (disorder), Sexually transmitted diseases, VENEREAL DISEASE (VD), VENEREAL DISEASE, DISEASE (VD), VENEREAL, VD, VENEREAL DISEASE, Venereal disease, Disease with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission, STD - Sexually transmitted disease, Sexually transmitted disease, Sexually transmissible disease, Sexually transmitted infectious disease (disorder), Sexually transmitted infectious disease, disease (or disorder); infectious, sexually transmitted, disease (or disorder); sexually transmitted, disease (or disorder); venereal, infectious; disease, sexually transmitted, sexual; transmitted disease, venereal; disease, Venereal disease, NOS, Sexually transmitted infectious disease, NOS, Diseases (Venereal), STD, Sexually Transmitted Disorder, Statutory venereal disease, VD - Venereal disease, STDs, Disease;venereal |
Italian | Malattia sessualmente trasmessa, Malattia venerea non specificata, Malattia sessualmente trasmessa NAS, Malattia venerea NAS, Malattia venerea, Malattie veneree, Malattie sessualmente trasmesse, Infezione trasmessa per via sessuale |
Dutch | seksueel overdraagbare aandoening NAO, VD, venerische ziekte NAO, geslachtsziekte, niet-gespecificeerd, seksueel overdraagbare infectie, aandoening; infectieus, seksueel overdraagbaar, aandoening; seksueel overdraagbaar, aandoening; venerisch, infectieus; aandoening, seksueel overdraagbaar, seksueel; overdraagbare aandoening, venerisch; aandoening, Niet gespecificeerde seksueel overdraagbare aandoening, seksueel overdraagbare aandoening, Aandoening, seksueel overdraagbare (SOA), Aandoeningen, seksueel overdraagbare (SOA), Geslachtsziekte, SOA, Seksueel overdraagbare aandoening (SOA), Seksueel overdraagbare aandoeningen (SOA) |
French | Maladie vénérienne SAI, Maladie vénérienne, non précisée, MV, Maladie sexuellement transmissible SAI, Infection sexuellement transmissible, Maladie sexuellement transmissible, MST, Maladies sexuellement transmissibles, Maladies vénériennes, Maladies sexuellement transmises |
German | Geschlechtskrankheit NNB, VD, Geschlechtskrankheit, unspezifisch, Sexuell übertragbare Erkrankungen, STD (Sexuell übertragbare Krankheiten), Durch Geschlechtsverkehr uebertragene Krankheiten, nicht naeher bezeichnet, sexuell uebertragene Infektion, Geschlechtskrankheit, Geschlechtskrankheiten, Venerische Krankheiten, Sexuell übertragbare Krankheiten |
Portuguese | Doença transmitida sexualmente NE, Doença venérea, Doença venérea NE, Infecção sexualmente transmissível, Infecções Sexualmente Transmitidas, Doenças Sexualmente Transmitidas, IST, Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis, Doenças de Transmissão Sexual, DST, Doenças trasmitidas por via sexual, Doenças Sexualmente Transmissíveis, Doenças Venéreas, DSTs |
Spanish | Enfermedad venérea no especificada, Enfermedad de transmisión sexual NEOM, EV, Enfermedad venérea NEOM, enfermedad venérea (trastorno), enfermedad venérea, SAI, [X]enfermedad de transmisión sexual no especificada (trastorno), [X]enfermedad de transmisión sexual no especificada, [X]infecciones con modo de transmisión predominantemente sexual, enfermedad venérea, SAI (trastorno), [X]infecciones con modo de transmisión predominantemente sexual (trastorno), Enfermedades Sexualmente Transmisibles, ITS, Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual, Enfermedades Sexualmente Transmitidas, Infecciones Sexualmente Transmitidas, ETS, [X]infecciones de transmisión predominantemente sexual (trastorno), [X]infecciones de transmisión predominantemente sexual, enfermedad de transmisión sexual, enfermedad infecciosa transmitida por vía sexual (trastorno), enfermedad infecciosa transmitida por vía sexual, enfermedad venérea, Enfermedad de transmisión sexual, enfermedad infecciosa transmitida sexualmente, Enfermedades Venéreas, ETSs, Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual |
Japanese | 性行為感染症NOS, 性病、詳細不明, 性病NOS, セイコウイカンセンショウ, セイビョウショウサイフメイ, セイコウイカンセンショウNOS, セイビョウNOS, セイビョウ, 性行為感染症, 性感染症, 性病, 性的感染症 |
Swedish | Könssjukdomar |
Czech | sexuálně přenosné nemoci, pohlavní nemoci, Pohlavní nemoc, Pohlavně přenosné onemocnění, Pohlavně přenosné onemocnění NOS, Pohlavní nemoc, blíže neurčená, Pohlavní nemoc NOS, Sexuálně přenosné choroby, pohlavně přenosné nemoci, STD, pohlavně přenosné nákazy |
Finnish | Sukupuolitaudit |
Russian | POLOVYM PUTEM PEREDAVAEMYE BOLEZNI, VENERICHESKIE BOLEZNI, ВЕНЕРИЧЕСКИЕ БОЛЕЗНИ, ПОЛОВЫМ ПУТЕМ ПЕРЕДАВАЕМЫЕ БОЛЕЗНИ |
Korean | 상세불명의 성행위로 전파되는 질환 |
Croatian | SPOLNE BOLESTI |
Polish | Choroby przenoszone drogą płciową, Choroby weneryczne |
Hungarian | szexuálisan átvitt betegség, Szexuálisan közvetített fertőzés, nemibetegség, nem meghatározott, Nemibetegség k.m.n., szexuálisan átvitt betegség k.m.n., VD |
Norwegian | Veneriske sykdommer, Seksuelt overførbare sykdommer, SOS, Kjønnssykdommer |
Ontology: Chlamydia trachomatis+Neisseria gonorrhoeae (C1507330)
Concepts | Bacterium (T007) |
LNC | LP33503-1, LP115359-4 |
English | Chlamydia trachomatis+Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis & Neisseria gonorrhoeae |