Health Advisory
UPDATING 2010 STD TREATMENT GUIDELINES

On December 17, 2010 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the 2010 STD Treatment Guidelines, with subsequent erratum on January 3, 2011. The 2010 guidelines update the 2006 treatment guidelines. Please see the following letter from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dear Colleague:

We are pleased to announce publication of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines—2010,” in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) December 17, 2010 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Recommendations and Reports. These guidelines for the treatment of patients who have sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were developed by CDC after consultation with a group of professionals knowledgeable in the field of STDs who met in Atlanta, Georgia from April 18–30, 2009.

The Guidelines are based on newly available evidence and include

• Expanded STD prevention recommendations, including HPV vaccination;
• Revised gonorrhea treatment regimens;
• New treatment regimens for genital warts and bacterial vaginosis;
• The role of Mycoplasma genitalium and trichomoniasis in the evaluation of urethritis and cervicitis and treatment-related implications; and
• Revised guidance on the diagnostic evaluation and management of syphilis.

Over 19 million cases of STDs occur in the United States each year, with a disproportionate share among young people and racial and ethnic minority populations. The estimated annual direct medical costs of treating STDs and their sequelae are $16.4 billion. Left untreated, STDs can cause serious health problems ranging from infertility to increased risk of HIV infection. The 2010 Guidelines, which update the 2006 Guidelines, serve as a source of clinical guidance and advise health care providers on the most effective treatment regimens, screening procedures, and prevention and vaccination strategies for STDs. CDC revises the Guidelines periodically, approximately every three to four years, using a scientific, evidence-based process that includes CDC and external expert review of current scientific literature.

To obtain a copy of the Guidelines, please go to our website at http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/ or contact CDC-INFO at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636), 24 hours/day, or e-mail cdcinfo@cdc.gov. You will also be able to order wall charts and pocket guides on our website or by contacting CDC-INFO. A podcast featuring lead author, Dr. Kimberly Workowski, will be posted on http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/ on December 20th for viewing. CDC is also developing iPhone and eBook applications of the Guidelines. We encourage you to visit our website for additional information and updates on all of these products.

Sincerely,

Charlotte Kent
Director (Acting)
Division of STD Prevention

Kevin Fenton
Director
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB

For additional information about STDs and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended treatment, you may contact the Delaware Division of Public Health Sexually Transmitted Disease Program office at 302-744-1050.

************************************

You are receiving this email because you are a registered member of the Delaware Health Alert Network. If you are not a member and would like to subscribe, please register at https://healthalertde.org