Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be a growing threat to public health. Because they may be asymptomatic or feature nonspecific signs and symptoms, STIs often go underrecognized by patients and healthcare workers. Frontline clinicians in particular must remain vigilant, playing a critical role in combatting the rising tide of infections by obtaining a thorough but sensitive history, conducting an appropriate physical examination, ordering relevant laboratory tests, and, when necessary, prescribing antimicrobial treatments. This issue reviews the CDC's 2021 updated guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of STIs, focusing on efficient and safe strategies to promote health for all patients and their partners, regardless of their sex, gender, age, pregnancy status, or other demographic variables.
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Following are the most informative references cited in this paper, as determined by the authors.
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Keywords: sexually transmitted infection, sexually transmitted disease, STI, STD, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, genital herpes, HIV, human papillomavirus, HPV, HSV, HSV-1, HSV-2, trichomonas, trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, Donovanosis, lymphogranuloma venereum, Mycoplasma genitalium, chancre, condylomata lata, gumma, cervicitis, NAAT, VDRL, FTA-ABS, TP-PA, treponemal, window period, incubation period, EPT, expedited partner therapy, Zika virus, Mpox, Monkeypox
Keith Pochick, MD, FACEP: Editor-in-Chief Benjamin A. Silverberg, MD, MSc, FAAFP, FCUCM: Update Author
Jordan Harry, MD; Aimee Mishler, PharmD, BCPS; James B. Short, Jr., MD, FAAFP, FCUCM; Amy J. Smith, DNP-C, MS, APRN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC
Brad Laymon, PA-C, CPC, CEMC
March 1, 2023
March 1, 2026   CME Information
4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. 4 AOA Category 2-A or 2-B Credits. Specialty CME Credits: Included as part of the 4 credits, this CME activity is eligible for 3 Pharmacology and 4 Infectious Disease CME credits
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