Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT)

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Find Expedited Partner Therapy services at your local public health department. This list is maintained by the Georgia Department of Public Health.

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Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT)

Expedited partner therapy (EPT) is the practice of treating the sex partners of a patient diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea without the healthcare provider examining the partner first. In Georgia, EPT applies only to these two infections.

With EPT, your provider can give you medication — or a prescription — to take home to your partner, so your partner can be treated even if they can't get to a clinic. Treating both of you helps prevent reinfection and protects against complications like pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

If you think you may have an STD, get care right away from your county health department or your primary provider. Many STDs are curable, and all are treatable.

For healthcare providers

Since 2017, Georgia law ( O.C.G.A. § 31-17-7.1  (PDF, 250.48 KB) ) has allowed practitioners to prescribe and dispense antibiotics for EPT. Practitioners who prescribe or dispense EPT reasonably and in good faith under the statute and DPH Rule 511-2-8 are protected from civil and criminal liability and from professional board discipline. A Georgia-licensed pharmacist may dispense EPT antibiotics pursuant to a valid EPT prescription.

EPT is permissible in most states and is supported by the CDC. See CDC's legal status of EPT by jurisdiction and Georgia's entry. Before offering EPT, review the eligibility criteria, prescription requirements, and exclusions in the EPT Guidance for Healthcare Professionals (May 2022)  (PDF, 237.55 KB) and the Rules of Expedited Partner Therapy (511-2-8). Key points: EPT is not appropriate for partners of patients co-infected with syphilis or HIV, or in cases involving suspected abuse or assault; every EPT prescription must include the words "Expedited Partner Therapy" or "EPT" and "Do not fill after 30 days from the date written," with no refills; and EPT should be reported through the index patient's record in SendSS.

Read more about EPT by clicking the dropdowns below, or you can download and print the newly updated pocket guide for partners, providers, and patients.

  • What are the symptoms of chlamydia complications?

    FEMALES: If you are experiencing abdominal or pelvic pain, you could have pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which could lead to infertility and issues with future pregnancies because of damage to the reproductive organs. 

    MALES: If you are experiencing testicular pain or swelling, you may have epididymitis, which, although rare, could result in persistent pain and infertility. If you have these symptoms, see your healthcare provider or go to your local health department immediately.
     

  • What are the complications of gonorrhea?

    FEMALES: If gonorrhea is not treated, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to long-term abdominal or pelvic pain, infertility, scar tissue in the reproductive organs, and ectopic pregnancy. 

    MALES: Gonorrhea can cause pain or swelling in the testicles due to infection in the tubes attached to the testicles. In rare cases, this can lead to infertility. 

    BOTH: In rare cases, untreated gonorrhea can spread to the blood or joints and become life-threatening. If you are experiencing symptoms or think you may have gonorrhea, see your healthcare provider or visit your local health department for testing and treatment.

  • Why is this important?

    It is important that you are treated for exposure to chlamydia and gonorrhea promptly. Often, chlamydia has no signs or symptoms, so most people don't know they are infected. Left untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious complications

  • What is Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT)?

    You are being offered expedited partner therapy (EPT), which allows sexual partners of individuals diagnosed with chlamydia to receive medications or prescriptions without having to see a healthcare provider.

  • What medication will I receive?

    Chlamydia and gonorrhea are treated with antibiotics. The treatment you receive will depend on the infection and your individual health needs. Be sure to take all medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider and complete your treatment as prescribed.

  • What are some adverse effects?

    If you experience trouble breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, hives, or severe skin reaction after taking this medication, go to the emergency room immediately and take the container in which your medication came. 

  • Is this medication safe to take?

    You should not take this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction (like a rash, hives, shortness of breath)  to azithromycin (Zithromax), erythromycin, clarithromycin (Biaxin). If you are unsure about whether you have an allergy, or you have a serious, long-term illness like kidney, liver, or heart disease, colitis, or stomach problems, talk to your doctor before taking this medication.

  • When can you have sex?

    Do not have any type of sex (with or without protection) for at least 7 days after taking azithromycin or until you have completed a medical evaluation. Avoid any sexual contact (with or without protection) with individuals who have not been treated to avoid re-infection.

Page last updated 8/17/2026