STI is a term used for denoting Sexually Transmitted Infections. There are different medications for STIs based on the type of infection. When it comes to treating STI both partners should be treated. This is where EPT or Expedited Partner Therapy is identified as the best method for treating STIs.
What is EPT?
EPT is a clinical procedure of treating the love partner of the patients diagnosed with STIs like gonorrhea and chlamydia by providing medications or prescriptions to the patients to take it to their partner without actually conducting any medical examination of the partner of the patients.
What is special about EPT?
EPT is approved by different affiliating agencies in the USA like the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and also the American Medical Association. EPT is mainly identified as effective in treating gonorrhea and chlamydia infections. These STIs are generally asymptomatic. But, they can cause serious health issues when not appropriately treated.
Now, with these things said, it is time for us to understand the benefits of EPT for STI Treatment:
Legality:
EPT is a legalized treatment. So, partners, pharmacists, and doctors can stay confident about this treatment. But, still, many of them are not sure about this treatment. Since it is a legally approved treatment, the best results can be expected by the partners.
No reports of ill-effects:
So far, EPT is offered to many partners and no ill-effects were recorded so far. So, it is a safe method that will help both partners to completely get relieved of their infections to prevent further transmissions.
Affordability:
Reports state that many American women spend about $850 million in treating STIs. If not treated, these diseases can lead to PID in the case of women. This means that by preventing the spreading of infection to the partner with the help of EPT, women can bring down the money they expend for STI treatments.
Reduces the chance of re-infections:
The problem with STIs is that if both partners are not treated, they keep coming back by getting transmitted from the untreated partner to the treated partner. But, with EPT, both partners can stay safe and clear of re-infections.
Effectiveness:
The effectiveness of EPT is evaluated well by medical practitioners in the United States. So, it is identified as the best method to treat STI issues.
What does CDC say?
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that EPT is the most useful option to enable partner management, specifically for treatment of male partners of women with gonorrhea and chlamydial infections. The center states that even though ongoing evaluation will be required to identify when and how EPT can be utilized in the best possible manner, evidence indicate that this treatment should be made available in clinics as an option for treatment of partner.
Why Chlamydia and Gonorrhea?
The reason is that these two are the most commonly reported STIs in the United States. The rates of these infections are higher in young adults and adolescents in the age group of 15 and 24 years. Most of these women do not know when to see a gynecologist. Further, the asymptomatic nature of these two infections makes them undiagnosed. Only when treated appropriately, a number of resulting health issues can be prevented.
So, for these reasons and benefits, EPT is slowly gaining popularity as the best treatment for STIs. Considering the benefits of this treatment, it is expected to gain further importance and popularity.
Conclusion:
EPT Method certainly has crucial benefits and it has the effectiveness in reducing the chances of STI infected people. But, still, this method needs some recognition. There are concerns that revolve around this treatment for STI. One of the major concerns about EPT is that patients are missing the chances of being educated and evaluated in the right manner. More studies are to be conducted for analyzing the effectiveness and long-term benefits of EPT.
