Customizable Announcement
This customizable announcement outlines key messages and available resources to accompany CDC’s Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Treatment Guidelines, 2021. It can be adapted and used by a health department to notify local public health practitioners, clinicians, and others about updates to CDC’s STI testing and treatment guidance. It is customizable – you can pair it with your logo/letterhead, local and state surveillance data, resources, and other information to make it relevant to your community.
Greetings (insert name),
CDC released Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. This document provides current evidence-based diagnostic, management, and treatment recommendations, and serves as a source of clinical guidance for managing sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Main STI Diagnostic, Treatment, and Management Updates for Providers
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.
STIs are common and costly. In (enter year, e.g., 2019 or 2020), there were (enter surveillance data) cases of (enter data for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and/or syphilis) in (organization’s state/county/city). With 26 million new STIs occurring each year, totaling nearly $16 billion in medical costs, evidence-based prevention, diagnostic, and treatment recommendations are critical to STI control efforts now more than ever.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, CDC provided guidance for the disruption of STD clinical services, focusing on syndromic management and STI screening approaches to maximize the number of people with STIs identified and treated, while prioritizing those most likely to experience complications. However, most drug and testing kit shortages have since resolved and many health care providers are returning to normal clinical practices, which includes conducting STI evaluation and management in accordance with CDC Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021.
Provider Resources for STIs
You can stay informed on the latest STI recommendations and clinical guidance with CDC and partner resources which include:
- High-quality printable copies of the wall chart, pocket guide, and MMWR, which are available for download now on the STD website. A limited number of free copies will be available for order through CDC-INFO On Demand in the coming weeks.
- Training and technical assistance, which are available through the National Network of STD Clinical Prevention Training Centers.
- STD clinical consultation services, which are available through the STD Clinical Consultation Network.
- Free continuing education credits (CME and CNE), which are available through the National STD Curriculum.
- Recommendations for Providing Quality STD Clinical Services (or STD QCS), which complement the STI treatment guidelines, focusing on managing clinical operations.
- An updated STI Treatment Guidelines mobile app, which is in development and is expected to launch in the coming months. NOTE: The 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines app will be retired at the end of July 2021. CDC is finalizing an interim, mobile-friendly solution – please visit STI Treatment Guidelines (cdc.gov) for information, as it becomes available.
You can also find additional information and resources on (organization’s name) website, such as (insert additional resources available on your website).
For questions about the updated 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines, you can email the Clinical Team in CDC’s Division of STD Prevention at stitxguidelines@cdc.gov. You can also contact (contact name) at (contact number/email).
Thank you for your commitment to improving the sexual health and wellness of people in (organization’s state/county/city).
Sincerely,
(print name)
(signature)