2023 Question 1 Georgia Reporting Laws New CDC data for three nationally reported STDs chlamydia gonorrhea and syphilis reveal more than

Question #1 Georgia Reporting Laws

“New CDC data for three nationally reported STDs – chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis—reveal more than 2 million cases were diagnosed in 2016. CDC estimates that closer to 20 million infections occur annually”(CDC, 2017).  These are the highest numbers ever.  As healthcare providers it is important for us to be aware of reporting laws and just trends in our areas.   Georgia has different reporting laws for different STD’s.  Syphilis in adults and syphilis in pregnancy must be reported immediately.  The healthcare provider is to call the District Health Office.  Other cases are to be reported within seven days.  This are to be reported electronically through the State Electronic Notifiable Disease Surveillance. Chlamydia trachomatis, hepatitis B -acute hepatitis B -newly identified HBsAg+ carriers** -HBsAg+ pregnant women hepatitis C virus infection (past or present) (genital infection), gonorrhea HIVinfection and Perinatal HIV exposure*, or AIDS all have to be reported within seven days.  “According to Georgia’s law notifiable disease reporting, healthcare facilitites providing HIV/AIDS care and testing should report any new patients to their facility (including referrals), any current/previous patient updates (change of address, name, pregnancy status, and or gender), and any new clinical status’ (new AIDS status or AIDS defining illnesses) within seven (7) days”(DPH, 2019). Adult (>13 years of age) cases can be reported electronically through the secure disease reporting system called SENDSS (State Electronic Notifiable Disease Surveillance System) using an electronic Adult Case Report Form (eACRF)”(DPH, 2019).  When looking into reportable diseases, I also found some very disturbing news about Georgia.  “According to the 2016 report, Georgia had some of the highest rates of reported chlamydia, gonorrhea and primary and secondary syphilis cases in the country”(CDC, 2017).  I was unaware that Clamydia and gonorrhea had to be reported so this was a very informational discussion for me.

CDC. (2017). 2016 STD Surveillance Report. Retrieved on February 16, 2019 from https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/2017/2016-STD-Surveillance-Report.html#Graphics

Georgia Department of Public Health. (2019).  Disease Reporting.  Retrieved on February 16, 2019 from https://dph.georgia.gov/disease-reporting