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CDC official
calls for more STD screenings for gay men

CDC official
calls for more STD screenings for gay men

Kevin Fenton, director of the National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, says it makes no sense that gay and bisexual men seeking HIV antibody testing are not offered tests for other sexually transmitted diseases, reports Southern Voice. "Why should a gay man come in for an HIV test and not be tested for gonorrhea and screened for syphilis?" Fenton asked during a presentation to a group of Atlanta gay and lesbian business professionals, according to the publication.

The need to regularly screen gay men for STDs in addition to HIV is being driven by rapidly rising rates of infection of such common diseases as syphilis and gonorrhea--as well as the emergence of rare STDs like lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)--among sexually active gay and bisexual men. According to Fenton, gay and bisexual men accounted for about 5% of U.S. syphilis diagnoses in 1999, but that percentage skyrocketed to 64% just five years later. And syphilis infection makes it easier to acquire or spread HIV, health officials warn. Infection with other STDs, particularly LGV, also can raise HIV transmission risk. (The Advocate)

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