Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR), World
Health Organization Sexually transmitted and other reproductive
tract infections A guide to essential practice Management of
STIs/RTIs Syndromic management of STI/RTI Many STIs/RTIs can be
identified and treated on the basis of characteristic symptoms
and signs. Symptoms and signs can be grouped together into
syndromes —upper respiratory infection, gastroenteritis and
vaginal discharge are examples of common syndromes. It is often
difficult to know exactly what organism is causing the syndrome,
however, and treatment may need to cover several possible
infections. Syndromic management refers to the approach of
treating STI/RTI symptoms and signs based on the organisms most
commonly responsible for each syndrome. A more definite or
etiological diagnosis may be possible in some settings with
sophisticated laboratory facilities, but this is often
problematic. Laboratory tests require resources, add to the cost
of treatment, may require clients to make ex