Rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea are disproportionately high among non-Hispanic African-Americans

Reuters:

A large number of people between the ages of 14 and 39 years have chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease, a new report indicates, while gonorrhea, another STD, is less prevalent.

Based on 6,632 people ages 14 to 39 tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea between 1999 and 2002, researchers estimate that 2.2 percent of Americans in this age range -- a little more than 2 out of every 100 -- have Chlamydia infection and that 0.24 percent -- fewer than 1 out of every 400 - have gonorrhea infection.

Sexually active adolescents, especially girls, bear the brunt of chlamydia and gonorrhea infection, according to Dr. S. Deblina Datta and colleagues from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta. Almost half of those found to have gonorrhea also had chlamydia.

Young women, who are targeted for chlamydia screening and are at risk for long-term effects of the infection, had an "unacceptably high burden" of chlamydia infection, Datta and colleagues report in the Annals of Internal Medicine, released today

The data also show roughly equal prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhea between males and females and disproportionately high rates among non-Hispanic black persons.

Both chlamydia and gonorrhea infection can cause symptoms such as discharge from the vagina or penis, pain with urination, abdominal pain, or no symptoms at all. In women, chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to infertility. These STDs can also lead to premature birth, low birth weight and serious infections in newborns.

Gonorrhea and Chlamydia in the United States among Persons 14 to 39 Years of Age

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