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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.
Providers and Professionals
For questions, requests and comments, contact the STD section at:
- 850-245-4303
- DCHP.STD.Feedback@flhealth.gov
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Fax
850-414-8103 -
Mailing Address
Florida Department of Health
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A19
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1716
"Update to CDC's Treatment Guidelines for Gonococcal Infection, 2020." This page is focused toward the healthcare professionals. Below you will find topics regarding emerging issues, reporting guidelines, STD case definitions, educational resources, and clinic & field services. If what you need can not be found on this page or the associated links, feel free to contact us at 850-245-4303 or send us an email DCHP.STD.Feedback@flhealth.gov.
All documents with pdf extentions open in a new window and are of 270 kb or smaller.
Emerging Issues
Florida Recommendations for Suspected Gonorrhea Treatment Failure
When should Gonorrhea Treatment Failure be suspected?
Gonorrhea treatment failure should be suspected if symptoms are present seven days following initial antibiotic treatment. Depending on the original site of infection, symptoms may include:
- Persistent urethral discharge, dysuria, and/or pyuria (positive leukocyte esterase on urine dipstick).
- Persistent pharyngitis, or odynophagia.
- Persistent rectal discharge, pain, bleeding, pruritis, tenesmus, or painful defecation.
- Persistent vaginal discharge, dysuria, or post-coital spotting.
Patients with persistent or recurrent symptoms who report sexual exposure to untreated or new partners may have been re-infected. Patients suspected of having a re-infection should be retreated with a recommended antibiotic regimen, see CDC STD Treatment Guidelines. For more information, see the "Gonorrhea Treatment Guidelines for Gonococcal Infection".
Reporting Guidelines
Florida Administrative Code 64D-3, entitled Control of Communicable Diseases and Conditions Which May Significantly Affect Public Health, is the mandate that empowers the Department of Health to record communicable diseases and dictates when and how diseases are to be reported to the Department by both practitioners and laboratories.
If you are a practitioner, you should report diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease (with the exception of HIV/AIDS) to your local health office or complete the Disease Report Form and fax it along with a copy of the lab to 850-414-8103.
If you are a laboratory, you should contact the Department about electronic laboratory reporting at ELR@flhealth.gov. Until you have implemented electronic reporting, you must continue to report to the local health office having jurisdiction for the area in which the office of the submitting practitioner or the patient's residence is located.
STD Case Definitions
The Department of Health has a provider guide in Florida. This document gives: clinical description - the clinical description provides information on physical evidence of signs or symptoms, a reported history of symptoms or exposure, or risk factors pertinent to the organism; laboratory criteria for diagnosis - the laboratory criteria for diagnosis explains how a diagnosis can be reached and laboratory tests that can be used; case classification - the case classification provides information on what is necessary to be present in a case, with probable - a probable case is one that cannot be established through laboratory testing alone, and/or where additional or alternate criteria are allowed and confirmed - a confirmed case is one definitively identified through laboratory testing.
Educational Resources
There are many educational opportunities available to practitioners relating to the field of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. A few valuable points of reference are listed on the Department’s Educational Resources for STD Providers page.
Clinic and Field Services
Clinical Services are provided in strict confidence to Floridians and visitors, alike, and are available to anyone who seeks care for the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). Clinic sites in each Florida County offer STD services on a reasonable and/or no cost basis to adults and adolescents, regardless of their citizenship status. All clients, including adolescents are assured confidential STD clinical services by Florida Law.
The field services component of the Florida Sexually Transmitted Disease Section is an essential link between clinic services and persons who are either infected, and/or at risk for acquiring a sexually transmitted disease. The organizational structure of the field services component includes nearly 200 highly trained Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS), supervisors and managers, who are assigned to one of 15 areas STD control programs around the state.
From time to time the Department offers guidance to community education endeavors, by providing crucial learning tools such as brochures and pamphlets, and safe sex incentives. Contact us with questions regarding educational resources in your area, either through your local health office or directly through the Department of Health STD Section, phone 850-245-4303.
Contact Us
The Florida Department of Health is here to serve you. Contact us with any questions you may have regarding reporting and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, by phone 850-245-4303, or email DCHP.STD.Feedback@flhealth.gov.
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