Updated Treatment Guidelines for Sexually Transmitted Infections

According to the CDC, there were an estimated 26 million new sexually transmitted infections ( STIs) in the United States in 2018. Approximately one- half of those infections occurred in adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 years. Updated guidelines for the treatment of STIs were published by the CDC in 2021. These guidelines contain the most recent evidence-based information related to prevention of STIs, diagnostic testing, and screening, and they provide updated treatment recommendations for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. Pharmacists are in a key position to educate patients and healthcare providers about preventive measures and to collaborate with providers in order to ensure appropriate treatment, counseling, and follow-up for the management of STIs.