STI contact tracing

Contact tracing (partner notification) is integral to the management of sexually transmissible infections (STIs). The aims of contact tracing are to:

• limit disease transmission
• identify contacts requiring treatment (including those who are asymptomatic) to minimise the risk of complications
• prevent reinfection of the index patient by an untreated sexual partner.

Contact tracing is a priority when the contact is likely to benefit from being tested, treated or counselled about prevention. Generally, contact tracing is required for:

• hepatitis A and hepatitis B
• HIV
• Chlamydia trachomatis infection
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection
• trichomoniasis
• chancroid
• donovanosis
• lymphogranuloma venereum
• syphilis
• mpox (monkeypox).

Formal contact tracing is not required for genital herpes or genital warts; however, give reassurance, education and support to patients and their sexual partners.

Addressing contact tracing is the responsibility of the diagnosing clinician. The index patient should notify their sexual contacts either directly, or via contact tracing websites such as:

• Let Them Know
• The Drama Downunder
• Better to know.

Alternatively, the diagnosing clinician or a health agency can notify sexual contacts of the index patient; however, the index patient must provide consent and their identity should remain confidential.

Presumptive treatment (treating the contact before infection is confirmed) is sometimes required – this is discussed in the relevant topics.

For additional information, see the contact tracing section for the relevant STI or syndrome in the Australian STI Management Guidelines for Use in Primary Care.