Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) The 2008 Louisiana Legislature passed a law that authorizes Expedited Partner Therapy in this state. When treating a patient diagnosed with gonorrhea or chlamydia, one alternative procedure now available to a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant to assist other individuals who may have been exposed to gonorrhea or chlamydia is the issuance of a prescription for the appropriate antibiotic to that partner even in the absence of a physical examination or other physician-patient relationship.  Pharmacy laws and rules require that a prescription be issued only in the context of a legitimate physician-patient relationship. The legislature recognized the public health imperative for the prompt treatment of persons exposed to gonorrhea or chlamydia, and specifically authorized pharmacists to recognize prescriptions authorized under Expedited Partner Therapy as legitimate, notwithstanding any other provision of laws or rules to the contrary. The 2008 legislation required the Dept. of Health and Hospitals to promulgate the rules necessary to implement this program, and those rules became final on February 20, 2009. For additional information follow these links: 2008 Act 449 Louisiana Administrative Code Example Gonorrhea Information Sheet Example Chlamydia Information Sheet   STD Presumptive Treatment Guidelines Follow this link for a helpful guide for presumptive treatment of STDs. STD Presumptive Treatment Guidelines   Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine HPV is a common virus. HPV is most common in people in their teens and early 20s. It is the major cause of cervical cancer in women. HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer and genital warts. This vaccine is recommended for 11 and 12 year old girls. Ideally girls should get 3 doses of this vaccine before their first sexual contact when they could be exposed to HPV. For more information visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/hpv/default.htm   HERPES Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). The New Orleans Helper Group meets on the second Thursday of each month.  Meetings are held at Tulane-Lakeside Hospital in the second floor classroom at 7pm. For more information call 504-568-2937 or e-mail neworleanshelpergroup@yahoo.com. To learn more about Herpes visit www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/default.htm