Policy Forum From Research to Policy: Expedited Partner Therapy for Chlamydia

authorized physicians in California to dispense enough extra medication to patients infected with Chlamydia to treat their sex partners [1]. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control recently recommended that this practice of expedited partner therapy be a key component of the medical management of urogenital chlamydial infections [2]. Background: The Problem of Chlamydia Chlamydia trachomatis infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States, affecting 5-10 percent of sexually active adults. It is the infectious disease most frequently reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [3]. Annually, there are about 2.8 million cases [4]. Left untreated, Chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Chronic chlamydial infection may also increase the risk of acquiring and spreading HIV infection [5]. To reduce the continued transmission of Chlamydia it is important to prevent reinfection and treat sex partners of infected patients. Prior research has shown tha