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CDC: Chlamydia and gonorrhea rates down for first time in 30 years

The latest CDC report confirms males as the primary drivers of sexually transmitted diseases.

By Brooks Hays
Rates of the most common STDs fell for the first time in 30 years. UPI/ Phil McCarten
Rates of the most common STDs fell for the first time in 30 years. UPI/ Phil McCarten | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- In 2013, the rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea declined -- the first time that's happened in more than three decades.

On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its annual "Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance" report, detailing a slight decline in two of the most common STDs. Chlamydia rates -- still the most frequently reported and treated STD, with 1.4 million new cases in 2013 -- declined 1.5 percent, while gonorrhea rates fell 0.6 percent.

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Meanwhile, the more contagious version of syphilis (primary and secondary) showed a 10 percent increase in prevalence -- the increase was mostly isolated to gay and bisexual men. It's the highest the rate for syphilis infection has been since 1995.

The latest CDC report confirms males as the primary drivers of sexually transmitted diseases. Rates for all three diseases appeared on the rise for men, while STD rates for women were stable or falling in 2013. The study suggests adolescents and young adults 15 to 24 years of age are responsible for the majority of both chlamydia and gonorrhea cases.

As always, the report stressed the importance of screening.

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"If you are sexually active, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about STD testing and which tests may be right for you," study authors wrote.

The advice is especially important for men. The fact that women continue to report the most cases of STDs, but yet showed declining rates of infection, suggests female patients are more frequently screened and tested.

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