What is the definition of expedited partner therapy?

Expedited partner therapy is correctly defined as the treatment of sexual partners for someone who has had a positive chlamydia or gonorrhea infection. This approach involves providing medication to partners of individuals who are diagnosed with these sexually transmitted infections (STIs) without requiring them to undergo a prior clinical evaluation or visit to a healthcare provider. The goal is to reduce the risk of reinfection and to help control the spread of these STIs in the community by ensuring that both the infected individual and their sexual partners receive appropriate treatment promptly. This strategy is particularly beneficial because it can help diminish barriers to care, such as stigma or access issues, which might prevent partners from seeking treatment independently.

In contrast, while treatment of sexual partners for someone with HIV focuses on preventing further transmission and managing disease progression, it is not specific to chlamydia or gonorrhea. Regular screening is crucial in STI prevention but is not the same as expedited partner therapy. Enforcing mandatory testing may also be a public health strategy but does not align with the concept of providing immediate treatment to partners of infected individuals without requiring prior testing or a clinical visit.