CDC report: Sexually transmitted disease rates stable in King County, but inequities persist

This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its annual report on sexually transmitted diseases. See www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/STDsurveillancepressrelease.html

Rates of STDs in King County remain high, but basically are unchanged from last year.

Called the 2008 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Epidemiology Report, the annual overview describes how men who have sex with men, as well as people of color, continue to be disproportionately affected by disease. The report includes trends and addresses current challenges for three sexually transmitted infections: chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

“Access to diagnosis and treatment services is essential to prevent and treat illness. During a time when budget cuts are forcing health departments across the United States to close STD clinics, this annual report highlights the central role of the Public Health STD Clinic,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County.

In 2008, patients made 12,923 visits to the STD Clinic. Medical providers diagnosed more than a quarter of all syphilis and gonorrhea cases in the county, and diagnosed more cases of HIV than any other single clinical site in Washington state.

The complete report is available online at www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/communicable/std/statistics.aspx.

Key findings from the 2008 Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Epidemiology report

Men who have sex with men continue to experience higher rates of all reportable sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) relative to heterosexuals. In 2008, the estimated rates of gonorrhea, chlamydia and early syphilis among men who have sex with men were 719, 879 and 473 cases per 100,000, respectively. In comparison, rates of these infections among heterosexuals were 51, 307, and 0.3 per 100,000, respectively.

The continued disproportionate impact of STD on men who have sex with men should be a strong impetus for them to test at least annually for STDs, including HIV.

Rates of all STDs continue to show marked racial and ethnic disparities. African American, Native American, and Hispanic/Latino women all had elevated rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia relative to their white counterparts in 2008. For example, the 2008 chlamydia rate was 6.9 times higher among African American women, 3.9 times higher in Hispanic/Latina women, and 3.6 times higher in Native American women than among white women.

Chlamydial infection remains the most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease. While the prevalence is stable, chlamydial infection remains the most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease.

The persistent high risk of chlamydial infection among young women highlights the need to ensure that all sexually active women younger than 26 be tested for C. trachomatis infection at least annually.

Background on STDs

* Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD, with about three million people infected in the United States each year. Chlamydia can be easily cured with antibiotics. Without treatment, chlamydia may spread inside the body and cause serious illness in women and men.

* Gonorrhea is a very common STD, with about 500,000 to 600,000 new cases each year in the United States. Gonorrhea can be easily cured with antibiotics. Without treatment, gonorrhea may spread inside the body and cause serious illness in women and men.

* Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is curable with antibiotics. The rate of syphilis among the general population in the United States has been relatively low for many years with about 33,000 new cases annually. Untreated, syphilis progresses through four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary (late). Treatment stops the infection, but if organ damage has already occurred, the damage cannot be repaired.

For more information about STDs and treatment options, visit www.kingcounty.gov/health/std.