STI Testing

STIs are an important biomarker for HIV risk and can facilitate HIV transmission. All patients should be offered routine STI testing as part of HIV prevention services. Extragenital testing can increase case detection of STIs, particularly chlamydia and gonorrhea. Resources around STI testing can be found here: 

• The CDC’s STD page has information for patients and providers, practice recommendations, data and statistical background, and provider training on sexually transmitted infections.  

• The 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines, provide current evidence-based prevention, diagnostic and treatment recommendations.

• The Recommendations for providing quality STD clinical services provides recommendations to guide clinical operations in a variety of clinical settings. 

• The National Network of STD Clinical Prevention Training Centers supports clinicians by building expertise and providing clinical consultation and technical assistance across the HIV care continuum.  Contact your regional office for more information on trainings available.  They also have the clinical consultation network to provide clinical assistance on complicated STI cases.  

• The National STD Curriculum provides educational material and continuing education credit around testing and treatment of STIs.  

• Easy-to-follow infographics that instruct patients on how to self-swab for STIs are available upon request from the University of Washington’s STD Prevention Training Center. Resources available in English and Spanish.