Urethritis

In England, the National Chlamydia Screening Programme provides opportunistic screening for genital chlamydial infection to all sexually active men and women under 25 years of age. Sexually active subjects under 16 years of age can be offered screening if they are considered able to give informed consent for the procedure.[40]Public Health England. Standards for providers and commissioners chlamydia screening, part of National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP). June 2021 [internet publication]. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ncsp-standards [41]British Association for Sexual Health and HIV. Standards for the management of STIs. April 2019 [internet publication]. https://www.bashh.org/about-bashh/publications/standards-for-the-management-of-stis

The US Preventive Services Task Force has released guidelines for the screening of certain populations for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis.[42]US Preventive Services Task Force., Davidson KW, Barry MJ, et al. Screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2021 Sep 14;326(10):949-56. https://www.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.14081 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34519796?tool=bestpractice.com There are no recommendations to screen for Trichomonas vaginalis or other causes of non-gonococcal urethritis.

Screening for C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae is recommended on an annual basis for:[1]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021. Jul 2021 [internet publication]. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/default.htm ​​[42]US Preventive Services Task Force., Davidson KW, Barry MJ, et al. Screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2021 Sep 14;326(10):949-56. https://www.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.14081 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34519796?tool=bestpractice.com

• All sexually active women aged 24 years or younger; and women aged 25 years and older who are at risk of infection. Risk factors include multiple sex partners, a sex partner with concurrent partners, previous or concurrent STI, and prostitution.

• This recommendation applies to pregnant women.

• There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for heterosexual men; however, at least annual screening should be considered for men who have sex with men.