Partners
It is important that your patient's sexual partners be informed of STIs so that they can be screened and treated if necessary.
Identify the last 1 to 5 partners OR if there are too many, those from the last month.
On this page you will find practical information about this step, which should not be underestimated.
“It is important your partners are treated so you don’t get infected again.”
“Most people with an STI don’t know they have it because they have no symptoms, but they can pass it on to other partners or develop problems in the long run.”
“Think back to when and where you had sex recently, or to any special events (e.g. festival, holidays, party, professional trip…)”
“From our discussion, there are a few people who need to be informed. How would it be best to contact them?”
Identify the last 1 to 5 partners OR those from the last month if there are too many.
(Indicative) timeframes for look-back periods:
- Gonorrhoea: 3 weeks to 1 month
- Chlamydia and LGV: 3 weeks to 1 month
- Syphilis and HIV: 12 months
- Hepatitis A: 2 months
- Hepatitis B and C: 6 months
- Advise the patient that their partner should be tested and provide them with information on the STI for their partner: allesoverseks.be.
- Give the patient a letter for their partner: a standard letter in Dutch is available from Domus Medica, standard letters in French or German from SSMG.
- The partner can be informed of the need to have a sexual health consultation through the online partner notification system partneralert.be.
- Plan a follow-up consultation with the patient to confirm that all went well.
- If anonymity is requested, the GP can write to the partner. A standard letter in Dutch is available from Domus Medica, standard letters in French or German from SSMG.
- The partner can be informed of the need to have a sexual health consultation through the online partner notification system partneralert.be
BRUSSELS
- Hepatitis A
A. Directly through the electronic medical record by using the form "Déclaration des maladies infectieuses à Vivalis (GGC)/Aangifte meldingsplichtige infectieziekte aan Vivalis (GGC)"
B. By filling in the pdf form (FR/NL) and sending it to Vivalis (1990007260 in category “Entité spéciale reconnue par la plateforme eHealth/Speciale door het eHealth-platform erkende entiteit”) through the eHealthbox, or by encrypted e-mail to notif-hyg@vivalis.brussels
C. In case of emergency, by phone (02/552.01.91)
More information on the Vivalis website.
WALLONIA
- Hepatitis A
A. Directly through the electronic medical record by using the form "Déclaration d'une maladie infectieuse à déclaration obligatoire à Vivalis (COCOM)"
B. Via the AViQ website, where you will also find all the useful information on this topic
FLANDERS
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B (acute)
A. Via the local sections of the Dienst Infectieziektebestrijding en vaccinatie (all contact information available on Flemish Departement Zorg) or the general address infectieziektebestrijding@vlaanderen.be
B. Outside office hours, in case of emergency : 02 512 93 89