The term sexually transmissible infection (STI) is used to describe infections that are solely or commonly spread through sexual contact. Most STIs are asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic in their infectious stages, which increases the likelihood of onward spread of the infection. Most STIs are simple infections and easily treated.
A comprehensive public health approach to the management and control of STIs includes health promotion and education, access to clinical care, screening and testing, contact tracing, treatment, surveillance, notification and vaccination. This chapter’s focus is designed to provide a practical approach to the diagnosis and management of STIs in Australian primary healthcare settings.
The Australian STI Management Guidelines for use in Primary Care provide further comprehensive clinical guidance.
The following STIs will be considered in this chapter:
Chlamydia
Gonorrhoea
Mycoplasma genitalium
Trichomoniasis
Genital herpes
Genital warts
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Syphilis
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
It is important to remember that genital symptoms may have causes other than STIs, although these are not discussed in this chapter. Candida and bacterial vaginosis are discussed in Chapter 4: The Vagina and Vulva (see Bacterial Vaginosis), Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is discussed in Chapter 13: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, urinary tract infections are covered in Chapter 6: The Bladder and the ...
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National Public Health Strategies
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STI transmission, control and prevention
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Screening
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Approach to STI Screening
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Contact tracing
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General STI management in the primary care setting
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STI prevention and education
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