Sexually transmitted diseases

STDs are commonly encountered in emergency department patients. The emergency physician can optimize individual patient outcomes and contribute to public health STD control initiatives by: maintaining a high index of suspicion for STDs; obtaining suitable diagnostic tests and instituting appropriate empiric therapy; counseling patients regarding treatment compliance, follow-up, partner notification, and preventive measures; and 4) reporting selected STDs to public health authorities. This article provides a general review of STDs commonly encountered in the United States and gives guidelines for routine treatment of adult patients with these infections. For a more detailed discussion of available treatment options and for guidelines regarding treatment in special patient populations (pediatric patients, pregnant patients, immunosuppressed patients) the reader is referred to the Centers for Disease Control publication "1998 Guidelines for Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases," which is available on-line via the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.