Management guidelines for sexually transmitted infections: A ready reckoner for postgraduates and practicing dermato-venereologists.

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health problem in most parts of the world. Failure to diagnose and treat STIs at an early stage may result in serious complications, including infertility and other pregnancy comorbidities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released their latest guidelines for the management of various STIs in July 2021 that replaced the 2015 guidelines. The National AIDS Control Organization under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India released the latest guidelines for management of various STIs in late 2024. The management protocols have been changed for certain STIs, and there are also notable changes made to the syndromic management kits compared to the previous guidelines. These guidelines have not yet been updated in the current editions of standard venereology or dermatology textbooks. We have brought together the recent treatment guidelines under a single roof in this article. In addition, we have also briefed about the newer treatment options currently available for various STIs. We hope our article will serve as a useful ready reckoner for postgraduates preparing for their examinations and for practicing dermato-venereologists.