Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis, are increasing across Ontario and locally, in Windsor and Essex County.
These infections pose a serious health risk to individuals and their partners.
Complications from acquiring these infections range from chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and sterility, to more systemic infections of other organs, such as the heart and brain.
Clinicians play a key role in assessing all patients for risk factors and screening those identified as at risk for STIs. As patients may be asymptomatic, making sexual health a part of your routine assessment can help to identify cases and prevent complications and further transmission.
This manual provides clinicians with clinical guidelines for screening and management of patients with STIs and their contacts, and information about ordering medications and reporting to the WindsorEssex County Health Unit. The Health Unit is also available for individual consultation.