Updated STI/BBV testing tools for asymptomatic people

By Communicable Diseases Branch, Prevention Division at Queensland Health

In the context of rising gonorrhoea and syphilis notifications, the Queensland Health STI/BBV testing tool is now updated and available to use by primary care providers. The revision includes new recommendations for asymptomatic men who have sex with men, and other clinical feedback.

A revised four page sexually transmissible infection (STI) and blood borne virus (BBV) testing tool for asymptomatic people and an abridged two page version are now available online via the quick reference links at www.health.qld.gov.au/sexhealth.

Printed versions of the testing tools can be requested from the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) Queensland by email to samantha.ingram@ashm.org.au. You are welcome to request printed copies of the following tools at the same time:

• Decision making in hepatitis B
• Decision making in hepatitis C
• Decision making in Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection

The Queensland testing tools focus on asymptomatic and opportunistic testing advice for the primary health care and general practice setting and are not intended for use in a specialist sexual health clinical context.

With gonorrhoea and syphilis notifications increasing in Queensland there are suggestions of changes in transmission risk.

Clinical presentations can be diverse and the asymptomatic testing tools can guide testing for timely diagnoses and treatment.

A more comprehensive update is subject to Australian STI Management Guidelines (www.sti.guidelines.org.au) updates expected to be completed later this year.