STI and HIV Services

Person-centered prevention, screening, treatment and education about STIs and HIV is an essential part of SRH care. It is important to meet patients “where they are,” using the principles outlined in Section 3. This means using non-stigmatizing approaches, engaging patients in decision making, and providing patients with the services that meet their needs and goals.

This section covers STI and HIV behavioral risk assessment; prevention strategies, including prevention counseling, pre-exposure vaccination, and prophylactic measures; and screening for STI and HIV. It briefly discusses strategies for delivering STI and HIV screening/ testing results and providing treatment for individuals and their partners but does not include detailed STI diagnostic management and treatment regimens. Providers can find comprehensive information—including guidance on providing treatment for individuals with STI symptoms, exposure, or a positive test—in the CDC’s STI Treatment Guidelines.112 Providers can also download the CDC STI Treatment Guide app for mobile devices. In addition to streamlined STI prevention diagnosis and treatment recommendations, the app provides clinical care guidance, sexual history resources, patient materials, and other features to assist with patient management.