Management of Patients with Sexually Transmitted Infections in the Emergency Department

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are very common infections in the United States. Most patients with STIs are evaluated and treated in primary care settings; however, many also present to the emergency department (ED) for initial care. Management of STIs in the ED includes appropriate testing and treatment per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines. Although most patients with STIs are asymptomatic or may only exhibit mild symptoms, serious complications from untreated infection are possible. Pregnant women with STIs are particularly vulnerable to serious complications; therefore, empiric ED treatment combined with close follow-up care and referral to obstetrics are paramount.