Empirical Treatment of Chlamydia for Partners

Partner Management Recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that sex partners of patients with chlamydia should be notified, examined, and treated for chlamydia even without testing 3
For symptomatic patients with chlamydia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that partners who had sexual contact within 30 days of symptom onset should be evaluated and treated 3
For asymptomatic patients with chlamydia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that partners who had sexual contact within 60 days of diagnosis should be evaluated and treated 3
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that the most recent sex partner should be treated even if last sexual contact was outside these time intervals 3

Empirical treatment prevents reinfection of the index patient and reduces further transmission in the community, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 4
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that without treatment, partners can remain asymptomatic carriers and continue the chain of transmission 4

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends Azithromycin 1 g orally in a single dose as a first-line option for treating partners 1
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice daily for 7 days as a first-line option for treating partners 1

For pregnant partners, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists prefers Azithromycin 1 g orally in a single dose 5
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises that Amoxicillin 500 mg orally three times a day for 7 days is an alternative for pregnant partners 5
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that Doxycycline and fluoroquinolones (ofloxacin, levofloxacin) are contraindicated during pregnancy 5

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that single-dose azithromycin may be preferred when compliance is a concern 1
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that patients and partners should abstain from sexual intercourse until therapy is completed (7 days after single-dose therapy or until completion of a 7-day regimen) 1, 3
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that sexual activity should be avoided until all partners are treated 3
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that test-of-cure is not routinely recommended after treatment with recommended regimens unless symptoms persist or reinfection is suspected 3, 6

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that medications should be dispensed on-site when possible, with directly observed first dose to maximize compliance 6
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that patient referral (having the index patient notify partners) is the most common method, but provider referral (having healthcare providers notify partners) is more effective when feasible 2
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that expedited partner therapy (providing medication or prescription to the index patient to give to their partner) should be considered where legally permitted 7
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that partners should be counseled about the infection, its transmission, and the importance of treatment 3