2021 Updated CDC Sexually Treatment Infection Guidelines

The CDC has released the 2021 Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment (STI) Guidelines. Learn about the changes and how you can participate in a QI project focused on STI screening.

This document provides current, evidence-based diagnostic, management and treatment recommendations and serves as a source of clinical guidance for managing sexually transmitted infections. The new guidelines include notable updates from the previous 2015 guidance, including:

• Updated treatment recommendations for chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Updated treatment recommendations for uncomplicated gonorrhea in neonates, children, and other specific clinical situations (e.g., proctitis, epididymitis, sexual assault), which builds on broader treatment changes published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
• Information on FDA-cleared diagnostic tests for Mycoplasma genitalium and rectal and pharyngeal chlamydia and gonorrhea.
• Expanded risk factors for syphilis testing among pregnant patients.
• Recommended two-step serologic testing for diagnosing genital herpes simplex virus.
• Harmonized recommendations for human papillomavirus vaccination with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
• Recommended universal hepatitis C testing in alignment with CDC’s 2020 hepatitis C testing recommendations.

Twenty-six million new STIs are diagnosed each year resulting in nearly $16 billion in medical costs. Evidence-based prevention, diagnostic, and treatment recommendations are critical to STI control efforts. If your office is interested in participating in a QI project focused on STI screening, please contact your QI Coach or email the PFK QI Coaching team at PFKQICoaching@NationwideChildrens.org