For Your Information

The Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines-2010 were published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) December 17, 2010 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Recommendations and Reports.  The 2010 Guidelines, which update the 2006 Guidelines, serve as a source of clinical guidance and advise health care providers on the most effective treatment regimens, screening procedures, and prevention and vaccination strategies for STDs.  The Guidelines are revised approximately every three to four years and are based on newly available evidence.

A print version of the 2010 Guidelines may be viewed or downloaded from the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/. 

The National Chlamydia Coalition (NCC) Research Committee has released a series of research briefs. 

Developments in STD Screening: Chlamydia Testing discusses current methods of diagnostic and testing methods; preferred specimens; new specimen types, such as urine and vaginal swabs; rectal and pharyngeal specimens; and alternative venues for screening.  The brief may be viewed here as a pdf.

Laboratory Considerations for Male Chlamydia Screening describes and reviews the methods for laboratory diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis in men.  There are no formal recommendations by professional organizations for screening men for chlamydia, however, guidance has been provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for clinical sites wishing to screen men.  The brief may be viewed here as a pdf.

Getting More Young Women Screened for Chlamydia: Findings from Qualitative Research provides valuable insights into why women do or do not seek chlamydia screening and helps us understand the key factors influencing a woman's decision to get tested, including attitudes, knowledge, beliefs, perceived social norms, and skills.  The brief may be viewed here as a pdf.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a major public health challenge in the U.S., especially among women, who disproportionately bear the long-term consequences of STDs.
For example, each year untreated STDs cause infertility in at least 24,000 women in the U.S., and untreated syphilis in pregnant women results in infant death in up to 40% of cases.  Testing and treatment are keys to reducing disease and infertility associated with undiagnosed STDs.

Why are women so severely affected by STDs?  Here are 10 ways STDs impact women differently from men.