The Scott County Health Department works with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Program to prevent infections and stop the spread of STIs in Iowa. Health departments and healthcare providers across the state provide STI testing and treatment, which is vital for keeping people healthy and controlling diseases.

In the state of Iowa, positive test results for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and AIDS must be reported to Iowa HHS by the healthcare provider who ordered the test and the laboratory that processed the specimen. Reports must include patient names and demographics.

• Iowa Code for Notification and Surveillance for Reportable Communicable and Infectious Disease, and Condition Chapter 1-641-1.1 (139A)
• Iowa Code for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Chapter 1-641 1.1 (141A)

This information is protected by law and cannot be released to anyone other than disease intervention specialists (DIS) and county public health disease investigators who perform partner notification and partner referral.

Iowa Code allows for a minor to be tested and treated for a sexually transmitted infection without parental consent.

Reporting of STIs

The following sexually transmitted infections are reportable in Iowa: 

• Chlamydia (for all anatomic sites)
• Gonorrhea (for all anatomic sites)
• Syphilis
• HIV and AIDS infections

While many laboratories now have automated responses (e.g., Electronic Laboratory Reporting) to report their results, the most common method of reporting by medical providers is by completing one of the forms below. Please fax completed forms to the SCHD Sexual Health Program at 563-326-8774. Other methods of reporting must be arranged with the DIS assigned to each county in Iowa. For DIS contact information, visit: https://hhs.iowa.gov/media/7601/download?inline

• Scott County STI (chlamydia/gonorrhea) reporting form for providers
• Scott County Syphilis reporting form for providers

HIV and AIDS infections must be reported directly to HHS by a provider's office, call 515-322-8819 or 515-721-8486.

Iowa HHS STI Program

DIS Services

Treatment is an important part of the medical provider's report to SCHD. The Scott County DIS performs treatment verification for people diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis and ensures that people diagnosed with the above infections are treated according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) STI Treatment Guidelines.

In addition, DIS positions offer partner services to people diagnosed with infectious syphilis or HIV and are available to assist providers in contacting patients that are difficult to reach to ensure they are aware of their diagnosis and have received adequate treatment.