An MMWR analysis released today shows that gay and bisexual men are at elevated risk for extragenital STDs (e.g., chlamydia or gonorrhea in the throat or rectum), highlighting missed opportunities for STD prevention and extragenital screening.

These data are novel in that, for the first time, they provide us with a glimpse into the STD epidemics among gay and bisexual men using population-based data versus data collected from the clinic setting.

This study has implications for the role of STD prevention in the fight against HIV. A recent study indicates that gonorrhea and chlamydia threaten advances toward ending the HIV epidemic, and research shows that rectal gonorrhea is one of the main risk factors for HIV infection.

What you need to know from the report:

• Data were collected from gay and bisexual men in non-clinical settings in five US Cities via the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) survey
• One-in-eight men tested positive for at least one extragenital chlamydia or gonorrhea infection
• One-third of men were not tested for an STD within the past year
• CDC recommends STD testing for all sexually active gay and bisexual men at least once a year
• Extragenital bacterial infections can be difficult to treat, lead to drug resistance, and increase the risk of HIV infection

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Resources for Extragenital Screening:

• MMWR Visual Abstract – Great for sharing on social media
• Extragenital Testing – A Resource for Providers and Laboratories
• Prioritizing the Health of MSM: Extragenital STD Screening Call-to-Action from NCSD and NASTAD
• “Butt and Throat” video from Daddyhunt and BHOC

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Twitter

• #HCPs: #STDs in the throat & rectum often have no symptoms and can increase #HIV risk. This NEW @CDCMMWR study reports how these infections affect gay & bisexual men: https://bit.ly/2GczPlW. #STDMonth #TalkTestTreat
• Clinicians: Testing gay & bisexual men for #STDs at only one anatomic site can miss infections and leaves them vulnerable to HIV. https://bit.ly/2GczPlW #STDMonth #TalkTestTreat

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• HCPs: STDs can occur in the throat and rectum without symptoms and can increase HIV risk. A new MMWR study examines the prevalence of these infections among gay and bisexual men: https://bit.ly/2GczPlW.
• Clinicians: Testing gay and bisexual men for chlamydia and gonorrhea at only one anatomic site can miss infections and leaves them vulnerable to HIV. https://bit.ly/2GczPlW