Guidelines for chlamydia
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends chlamydia testing for all sexually active and pregnant women ages 24 and younger. The USPSTF also recommends testing for women who are 25 or older who do things that put them at higher risk. The task force does not state how often to be screened.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends screening every year for sexually active adolescent girls and women ages 25 and younger. Women that are 25 or older who do things that put them at higher risk also should be screened every year. Men who have sex with men are also at risk since chlamydia can spread through oral and anal sex. These men should be screened every year as well.
The CDC recommends testing during pregnancy for those who are ages 25 and younger or for those who are 25 or older who do things that put them at higher risk. This helps prevent them from spreading chlamydia to their babies.
These are general guidelines. But each person is different. You can talk to your doctor about whether you should be screened.
The CDC also recommends that you and any partners have the test again 3 months after you finish treatment. People who have been diagnosed and treated for chlamydia may get it again if they have sex with the same untreated partner or partners.
Guidelines for syphilis
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) strongly recommend screening for syphilis during pregnancy because of the severe consequences of being pregnant while infected or having a child born with congenital syphilis. Screening should be done:
- At the first prenatal visit.
- During the third trimester and again at delivery for people who have an increased risk of getting syphilis.
The USPSTF also strongly recommends that anyone with high-risk sexual behaviors be screened.
Yearly testing for syphilis is recommended for men who are sexually active with other men. If these men also engage in risky sexual behavior, have HIV, or have a sex partner with syphilis, testing should take place more often.
Guidelines for gonorrhea
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends testing for all sexually active women ages 25 and younger. The USPSTF also recommends testing for women that are 25 or older who do things that put them at higher risk.
If you do things that put you at higher risk for gonorrhea, you may want to consider being tested once a year even if you don't have symptoms. Testing will allow gonorrhea to be quickly diagnosed and treated. This helps to reduce the risk of transmitting gonorrhea and avoid complications of the infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends screening every year for sexually active adolescent girls and women ages 25 and younger. Women that are 25 or older who do things that put them at higher risk also should be screened every year. Men who have sex with men are also at risk since gonorrhea can spread through oral and anal sex. These men should be screened every year as well.
The CDC recommends testing during pregnancy for those who are ages 25 or younger or for those who are 25 or older who do things that put them at higher risk. This helps prevent them from transmitting gonorrhea to their babies.
These are general guidelines. But each person is different. You can talk to your doctor about whether you should be screened.
The CDC also recommends that you and any partners have the test again 3 months after you finish treatment. People who have been diagnosed and treated for gonorrhea may get it again if they have sex with the same untreated partner or partners.
Guidelines for HIV
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all people between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested for HIV at least once, as part of their regular medical care. People at higher risk should get tested more often.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends HIV testing for:
- People 15 to 65 years old as part of regular medical care.
- Anyone who is pregnant.
- People younger than 15 and older than 65 if they have a high risk for HIV, such as people who do things that put them at a higher risk for HIV. One thing that puts people at a higher risk is being a man who has sex with other men. Another thing is sharing needles, syringes, and injection supplies with other people. The more high-risk things you do, the higher your risk.
You and your doctor can decide if testing is right for you.
