Sexual Health | Approach to patient | Screening Asymptomatic Patients

Screening Asymptomatic Patients
Session Overview
Description
This session will describe a full screen for diagnosis or exclusion of STIs in an asymptomatic woman, an asymptomatic heterosexual man and an asymptomatic man who has sex with men (MSM) and the rationale behind the approach.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the rationale for a testing process to identify or exclude sexually transmitted infections in asymptomatic patients
• Explain the different approaches for females and males (heterosexual and MSM)

Many STIs are frequently asymptomatic, facilitating long term infectivity and unwitting transmission between individuals. Asymptomatic infection can readily be identified by simple and effective tests, allowing treatment and reduction of onward transmission. Identification and treatment of STIs is an important public health priority.

Asymptomatic patients can be tested appropriately by less extensive tests than those with symptoms, allowing a cost effective and convenient strategy for use in diverse health care settings.