Sexually transmitted infections and HIV: diagnosis and treatment

Accurate assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in HIV-infected persons can identify sexual risk behaviors and specific STIs that may increase transmission of STIs and HIV. HIV-infected men and women should be screened annually for syphilis and urogenital gonorrhea and chlamydia. Serologic testing for hepatitis A, B, and C viruses should also be performed. Women should be tested for trichomoniasis and undergo a cervical Papanicolaou test annually. Men who report receptive anal intercourse with men during the preceding year should be screened for rectal gonorrhea and chlamydia. Men who report receptive oral intercourse with men during the preceding year should be screened for oropharyngeal gonorrhea. More frequent screening at 3- to 6-month intervals may be indicated for men who have sex with men who have numerous or anonymous partners. STIs may have unusual presentations in HIV-infected patients. Aspects of diagnosis and management of common STIs will be discussed in this article. This article summarizes a presentation by Kimberly A. Workowski, MD, at the IAS-USA live continuing medical education course held in New York City in October 2011.