[Summary of the NHG guideline 'The STD consultation']

The guideline 'The STD consultation' of the Dutch College of General Practitioners provides guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease (STD), patients at high risk of being infected with a STD (risk groups), and patients with questions or concerns about STDs. The test policy depends on the patient's symptoms and risks and is extensively described in the guideline. Men who have sex with men (MSM), prostitutes, people who visit prostitutes, people from countries in which STDs are endemic, people with multiple sexual partners, and people with a partner from one of these groups are at increased risk of contracting one of the five major STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV). Patients originating from HIV-endemic regions or MSM can be offered HIV and, if appropriate, hepatitis B testing. Young men and women (< 25 years) can be offered chlamydia testing.- Treatment is dependent on the causative agent.