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May 10, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Annual HIV Tests Urged for Gay Men"

Associated Press (www.ap.org) (05/10/02); McClam, Erin

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published new guidelines recommending that all sexually active gay and bisexual men get tested at least once a year for HIV. Increasing rates of syphilis and gonorrhea among gay and bisexual men in several U.S. cities have health officials concerned that they may be signals of a coming increase in HIV and AIDS rates. Now, the CDC is recommending that these men receive at least annual screenings for HIV, chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea, plus immunization against hepatitis A and B.  In addition, the 2002 guidelines recommend that physicians ask male patients about the gender of their sexual partners so they can provide the necessary educational messages about their health risks and safe sex practices.

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