STI Information for Providers

For more general information, see our sexually transmitted infections (STI) page.

Many people aren’t aware they have an STI.

Symptoms may not be present or obvious. Infected people can spread STIs without knowing it.

While most STIs can be treated, all STIs can be prevented. The most common STIs in Pierce County are:

• Chlamydia.
• Gonorrhea.
• Herpes.
• Syphilis.

We encourage providers to give EPT.

Expedited partner therapy (EPT) helps control the spread of infection. EPT is giving medicine to an infected person’s sex partners without examining them first. This helps prevent reinfection of the patient and prevents further transmission by partners.

EPT is permissible in Washington in many cases of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Providers can find out more about EPT from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and by contacting the Health Department. 

• Current Pierce County STI data. 
• Communicable Disease Data Report, Pierce County, 2012-2018.

Providers must report STI cases.

Healthcare providers and facilities must report HIV/AIDS and most other STIs within 3 business days.

To report STIs, fax an STI report form to (253) 649-1389.

Questions? Check out our STI case report tips.

When a patient tests positive for syphilis: You can also complete and submit an optional positive syphilis or HIV test supplemental patient info form.

For more information, see our reporting notifiable conditions page or call (253) 649-1412.

To report HIV/AIDS, fax an HIV/AIDS case report form to (253) 649-1389.

When a patient tests positive for HIV: You can also complete and submit an optional positive syphilis or HIV test supplemental patient info form.

For more information, see our HIV/AIDS information for providers page or call (253) 649-1412.

Resources

Treatment guidelines

• STI Treatment Guidelines—CDC.
• Letter to providers about gonococcal treatment update—Washington State Department of Health (DOH), 2021.

Disease information

• Syphilis
  • Syphilis Information for Providers.
  • Evaluating patients for syphilis.
  • Interpreting syphilis serology.
• National STI Curriculum Podcast.
• Sexual orientation disparities in risk factors for adverse COVID-19 related outcomes, race/ethnicity-behavior risk factor surveillance system, United States, 2017-2019—CDC, 2021.
• Disease information—CDC.
  • Bacterial vaginosis (BV).
  • Chlamydia.
  • Genital herpes.
  • Gonorrhea.
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV).
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
  • Mycoplasma genitalium
  • Syphilis. 
  • Trichomoniasis.
  • Other STIs (chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum [LGV]).
• STI data and information—DOH.
• National STI curriculum self-study training modules—CDC and University of Washington.
• Clinical and non-clinical education and training—CDC.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

• PrEP for HIV prevention—CDC.
• PrEP for HIV clinical practice guideline—CDC.
• PrEP and PEP for HIV prevention—DOH.
• PrEP Watch: data, research and access.
• We are 1: PrEP providers in Pierce County.

Expedited partner therapy (EPT)

• EPT guidance—DOH.
• EPT review and guidance—CDC.

Tools for working with patients

• Recommendations for providing quality STI clinical services—CDC, 2020.
• Affirmative care for people who are transgender or gender non-conforming— National LGBTQ+ Health Education Center.
• Asking questions about sexual orientation and gender identity in clinical settings.
• Taking a sexual history—CDC.

Harm reduction referral

• Tacoma Needle Exchange.
• Health Department opioid treatment services.