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The ²ÝÁñÉçÇø (ACHA) affirms its support for expedited partner therapy (EPT) and recommends this therapy as a useful option for partner treatment. EPT is the clinical practice of prescribing and dispensing medications for the treatment of chlamydia and/or gonorrhea to the sexual partner(s) of patients diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea without the health care provider first examining the partner(s).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has concluded that EPT is a useful alternative to the standard approach and recommends it as an additional option for partner treatment while not replacing other options recommended for select populations. To effectively treat patients with sexually transmitted diseases, the patient’s current sexual partner must be treated as well to prevent reinfection. Via EPT, a patient’s partner(s) can receive treatment for chlamydia and/or gonorrhea at the point of diagnosis of their partner.

Sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea are significant issues on our nation’s college campuses. EPT provides an enhanced opportunity for clinicians to disrupt the transmission of these diseases and provide effective treatment to America’s college students. Therefore, ²ÝÁñÉçÇøsupports the CDC EPT recommendation and urges states and their respective health agencies to enact legislation to allow expedited partner therapy for chlamydia and/or gonorrhea.

Adopted by the ²ÝÁñÉçÇøExecutive Committee on behalf of the Board of Directors on August 29, 2018.