Adolescent STIs for primary care providers

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a significant source of morbidity among adolescents, who bear a disproportionate burden of disease. Many infections are asymptomatic, but pose significant risk for long-term sequelae in this at-risk population.

Recommendations published within the last 5 years from the Centers for Disease Control, United States Preventive Services Task Force, and American Academy of Pediatrics are available to aid providers in appropriate screening, treatment, and prevention of common STIs. However, recent data indicate that many adolescents at risk for STIs are not being appropriately screened. In this review, we summarize screening and treatment recommendations for chlamydia and gonorrhea; prevention and screening recommendations for human papilloma virus (HPV); and appropriate testing for HIV and syphilis.

Primary care providers are in a unique position to address STIs with adolescents. Improved adherence to screening, treatment, and vaccination recommendations by primary care providers is imperative to reduce prevalence, complications, and transmission of STIs in the adolescent population.