Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT): Stopping the Spread of Chlamydia in NYC
Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) for Chlamydia was signed into law in New York State (NYS) in January 2009; regulations to accompany the law were adopted in October 2010. EPT allows health care providers to provide patients being treated for Chlamydia with medication or a prescription to deliver to his or her sex partner(s) without a prior medical evaluation of those partners.
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease (STD) in NYS and NYC among both men and women. It is spread through having any kind of sex (vaginal, oral or anal) with a person who has Chlamydia. In NYC in 2010, there were over 60,000 Chlamydia cases reported.
If Chlamydia infection is left untreated, it can lead to infertility (not being able to have children) in both men and women. In women, untreated Chlamydia can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID can be very painful and affect the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, and may lead to pregnancy in the fallopian tubes (ectopic pregnancy). In men, Chlamydia that is not treated can cause infection and pain in the testicles (balls).
EPT is one way providers can help get sex partners treated for Chlamydia. Getting treatment to the sex partners of persons diagnosed with Chlamydia is important because it can prevent Chlamydial re-infection, which increases the risk for infertility, and can help stop the spread of Chlamydia.
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Bureau of Sexually Transmitted Disease Control (BSTDC) has developed health education materials for patients, partners, and health care providers. To access these, and other useful documents please see the links below.
inSPOT (anonymous electronic partner notification): inSPOT NYC, is an STD/HIV partner notification service for residents of NYC. InSPOT NYC enables people to notify their sex partners that they have been exposed to HIV including other STDs and they should seek medical care. The site enables people to put in their zip code and find a testing location of their choice.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns regarding EPT please contact at us at ept@health.nyc.gov.
If you are a patient/partner and would like to report an adverse reaction after taking azithromycin for EPT, please call 311.
If you are a provider and would like to report an allergic reaction related to EPT, please call 311 or the provider access line: 1-866-NYC-DOH1 (1-866-692-3641).
