Sexually Transmitted Disease Reinfection Common Within a Few Months

Almost 15% of men and nearly 26% of women become reinfected with a sexually transmitted infection within a few months of cure. These are the findings of researchers who followed up people attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics. Although recruiting the 2419 people from 3 urban STD clinics may not mean the findings give a totally accurate picture for the general population, it does suggest that men as well as women should be more closely followed up following STD treatment.

Findings for men and women showed 67.2% of infections were diagnosed during study-related visits rather than in other health settings, and a suprising 66.2% of the study subjects reported no symptoms. At the present time the Centers for Disease Control suggest only women diagnosed with chlamydia require a rescreen in 3 months. This study suggests men and women should be routinely re-screened if they have had gonorrhea.

Related Information

Tests and Treatment for Gonorrhea

Chlamydia

Genital Warts

Treatments for Syphilis

Source: Peterman, T.A. High Incidence of New Sexually Transmitted Infections in the Year following a Sexually Transmitted Infection: A Case for Rescreening. Annals of Internal Medicine, Oct. 17, 2006; vol 145: pp 564-572.