Chlamydia & Gonorrhea
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most common bacterial sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States today, but many infected people have no symptoms. These infections usually affect the genitals but may also cause infections of other mucous membranes, eyes, or joints. Often progressing silently, these diseases can cause health complications if left untreated. However, both diseases can be cured with antibiotics.
While rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea are highest in young people, any sexually active older adult can get a chlamydia or gonorrhea infection.
Recommendations for Women
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), the American Academy of Family of Physicians (AAFP), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend chlamydia screening for all sexually active older women who have risk factors, such as a new or multiple sex partners. The CDC specifically recommends annual screening.
- The CDC, USPSTF, AAFP, and ACOG suggest gonorrhea screening for those sexually active older women at increased risk.
Recommendations for Men
These organizations do not recommend routine screening for healthy, sexually active, heterosexual men. Health care providers may, however, use their judgment and consider risks, such as prevalence in the community. It is important to remember that an infected male can spread these diseases and even re-infect a partner if he does not complete treatment.
- For sexually active males who have sex with other males, the CDC recommends chlamydia and gonorrhea screening at least annually.
You are at risk of contracting chlamydia and gonorrhea if you:
- Have had one or both of these infections before
- Have other STDs, especially HIV
- Have new or multiple sex partners
- Use condoms inconsistently
- Exchange sex for money or drugs
- Use illegal drugs
- Live in a detention facility
- Are a man who has sex with other men
Because reinfection rates are high, the CDC recommends that both women and men who are treated for chlamydia or gonorrhea infection be retested approximately 3 months after treatment or at their next health care visit, regardless of whether they believe that their sex partners were treated. It is important to continue annual screening for these diseases because reinfection is always possible.
Sources Used in Current Review
United States Preventive Service Task Force. USPSTF Recommendations for STI Screening. Available online at http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf08/methods/stinfections.htm through http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org. Last updated March 2008. Accessed May 24, 2012.
Kimberly A. Workowski and Stuart Berman. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Guidelines, 2010. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. PDF available for download at http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/STD-Treatment-2010-RR5912.pdf through http://www.cdc.gov. Published December 27, 2010. Accessed March 24, 2012.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea — Two Most Commonly Reported Infectious Diseases in the United States. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsSTDData/ through http://www.cdc.gov. Last reviewed April 22, 2011. Accessed May 23, 2011.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. STD Prevention Conference 2012. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/stdconference2012summaries.html through http://www.cdc.gov. Last reviewed March 14, 2012. Accessed May 23, 2012.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Well-Woman Care: Assessments and Recommendations. Available online through http://www.acog.org/. Issued March 29, 2012. Accessed June 1, 2012.
American Academy of Family Physicians. Gonorrhea. Available online at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/clinical/exam/gonorrhea.html through http://www.aafp.org. Accessed June 4, 2012.
American Academy of Family Physicians. Chlamydia. Available online at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/clinical/exam/chlamydia.html through http://www.aafp.org. Accessed June 4, 2012.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2010 Treatment Guidelines, Special Populations. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/specialpops.htm#msm through http://www.cdc.gov. Accessed June 2012.