Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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United Press International; Thursday January 29 6:53 PM EST
Mara Bovsun in New York
The 1998 Guidelines for Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is an update of a 1993 report. CDC epidemiologist Kimberly Workowski says the new guidelines reflect significant scientific advancements in the treatment and detection of STDs since the last report was issued.
These include extremely sensitive urine tests for chlamydia, one-dose oral treatments for chlamydia and gonorrhea, new treatments for herpes and genital warts and vaccines against sexually transmitted forms of hepatitis.
Workowski says there are also new methods of treating vaginal bacterial infections in pregnant women. Researchers estimate that thousands of infants die or suffer birth defects because of STDs in their mothers.
Scientists also say that treatment for common STDs can help reduce a woman's chances of HIV infection.
She says that the CDC hopes these new guidelines will raise awareness among doctors of the need to screen for these diseases. Many doctors do not ask their patients about sexual activity or screen for STDs, she says. Workowski says, "About 12 million Americans get sexually transmitted disease a year. It is a very prevalent problem."
Dr. Helene D. Gayle says, "We have simpler, more effective tools for treating STDs than ever before.
Gayle, director of the CDC's National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention, adds, however, that "neither the tools nor these guidelines can make a difference in the lives of women and children, unless we can first improve the early detection of these diseases."
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