For more general information, see our sexually transmitted diseases page.
STD and STIs spread by sexual contact
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also called sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are illnesses spread by sexual contact. There are many types of STDs. While most STDs can be treated, all STDs can be prevented. The most common in Pierce County are:
- Chlamydia.
- Gonorrhea.
- Herpes.
- Syphilis.
Many people are not aware that they have an STD. Infected people can spread disease unconsciously, as symptoms are not always obvious.
Providers are encouraged to provide 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 STD data.
- Communicable Disease Data Report, Pierce County, 2012-2018.
Providers must report STD cases.
Healthcare providers and facilities must report HIV/AIDS and most other STDs within 3 business days. Visit our reporting notifiable conditions page or call (253) 649-1412.
There are 2 ways to report STDs.
Complete an STD report form and:
- Fax it to (253) 649-1389.
- Or mail it to Washington State Department of Health, Assessment Unit, PO Box 47838, Olympia, WA 98504-7838.
Reporting HIV/AIDS
Complete an HIV/AIDS case report form and
- Fax it to (253) 649-1389.
- Or mail it to Washington State Department of Health, Assessment Unit, PO Box 47838, Olympia, WA 98504-7838.
Please see our HIV/AIDS information for providers page.
Resources
Treatment guidelines
- STI Treatment Guidelines—CDC
- Letter to providers about gonococcal treatment update—Washington State Department of Health (DOH), 2021.
- Letter to providers about gonococcal treatment update—DHHS, 2020.
Disease information
- National STD 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).
- Syphilis.
- Trichomoniasis.
- Other STDs (chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), mycoplasma genitalium, ectoparasitic infections).
- STD data and information—DOH.
- National STD curriculum self-study training modules—CDC and University of Washington.
- Clinical and non-clinical education and training—CDC.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
- 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 STD clinical services—CDC, 2020.
- Affirmative care for people who are transgender or gender non-conforming— National LQBTQIA+ Health Education Center.
- Asking questions about sexual orientation and gender identity in clinical settings.
- Taking a sexual history—CDC.
Harm Reduction Referral Sources
- Tacoma Needle Exchange.
- Health Department opioid treatment services.
"Update to CDC's Treatment Guidelines for Gonococcal Infection, 2020." This page is focused toward the healthcare professional. Below you will find topics regarding emerging issues, reporting guidelines, STD case definitions, educational resources, and clinic & field services. If what you need can not be found on this page or the associated links, feel free to contact us at 850-245-4303 or send us an email .
All documents with pdf extentions open in a new window and are of 270 kb or smaller.
Emerging Issues
Florida Recommendations for Suspected Gonorrhea Treatment Failure
When should Gonorrhea Treatment Failure be suspected?
Gonorrhea treatment failure should be suspected if symptoms are present seven days following initial antibiotic treatment. Depending on the original site of infection, symptoms may include:
- Persistent urethral discharge, dysuria, and/or pyuria (positive leukocyte esterase on urine dipstick).
- Persistent pharyngitis, or odynophagia.
- Persistent rectal discharge, pain, bleeding, pruritis, tenesmus, or painful defecation.
- Persistent vaginal discharge, dysuria, or post-coital spotting.
Patients with persistent or recurrent symptoms who report sexual exposure to untreated or new partners may have been re-infected. Patients suspected of having a re-infection should be retreated with a recommended antibiotic regimen, see CDC STD Treatment Guidelines. For more information, see the "Gonorrhea Treatment Guidelines for Gonococcal Infection".
Reporting Guidelines
Florida Administrative Code 64D-3, entitled Control of Communicable Diseases and Conditions Which May Significantly Affect Public Health, is the mandate that empowers the Department of Health to record communicable diseases and dictates when and how diseases are to be reported to the Department by both practitioners and laboratories.
If you are a practitioner, you should report diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease (with the exception of HIV/AIDS) to your local health office or complete the Disease Report Form and fax it along with a copy of the lab to 850-414-8103.
If you are a laboratory, you should contact the Department about electronic laboratory reporting at . Until you have implemented electronic reporting, you must continue to report to the local health office having jurisdiction for the area in which the office of the submitting practitioner or the patient's residence is located.
STD Case Definitions
The Department of Health has a provider guide in Florida. This document gives: clinical description - the clinical description provides information on physical evidence of signs or symptoms, a reported history of symptoms or exposure, or risk factors pertinent to the organism; laboratory criteria for diagnosis - the laboratory criteria for diagnosis explains how a diagnosis can be reached and laboratory tests that can be used; case classification - the case classification provides information on what is necessary to be present in a case, with probable - a probable case is one that cannot be established through laboratory testing alone, and/or where additional or alternate criteria are allowed and confirmed - a confirmed case is one definitively identified through laboratory testing.
Educational Resources
There are many educational opportunities available to practitioners relating to the field of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. A few valuable points of reference are listed on the Department’s Educational Resources for STD Providers page.
Clinic and Field Services
Clinical Services are provided in strict confidence to Floridians and visitors, alike, and are available to anyone who seeks care for the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). Clinic sites in each Florida County offer STD services on a reasonable and/or no cost basis to adults and adolescents, regardless of their citizenship status. All clients, including adolescents are assured confidential STD clinical services by Florida Law.
The field services component of the Florida Sexually Transmitted Disease Section is an essential link between clinic services and persons who are either infected, and/or at risk for acquiring a sexually transmitted disease. The organizational structure of the field services component includes nearly 200 highly trained Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS), supervisors and managers, who are assigned to one of 15 areas STD control programs around the state.
From time to time the Department offers guidance to community education endeavors, by providing crucial learning tools such as brochures and pamphlets, and safe sex incentives. Contact us with questions regarding educational resources in your area, either through your local health office or directly through the Department of Health STD Section, phone 850-245-4303.
Learn more about Clinic & Field Services.
Contact Us
The Florida Department of Health is here to serve you. Contact us with any questions you may have regarding reporting and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, by phone 850-245-4303, or email .
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