BALTIMORE, Md-A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association reports one in 12 young adults in Baltimore has an untreated sexually transmitted disease.
Many of the infected with either gonorrhea or chlamydia were unaware of their infections, which can cause chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and fatal ectopic pregnancies.
Scientists at the Research Triangle Institute in Washington examined 728 adults, aged 18-35, and took urine samples from 579 of the participants in 1997 and 1998. Of those who were studied, 5.3% had untreated gonococcal infections. More than 3% had untreated chlamydial infections and 7.9% had both.
Those with the highest rate of infection were black women-some 15% of those tested. The sexually transmitted diseases frequently go undetected because they cause little pain until they are in later destructive stages.
The study was funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in Bethesda, Md. Using the study as motivation, city officials are reportedly working on promoting screening services and clinics in areas with high infection rates.
Information from The Associated Press
Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.
Reducing Hidden Risks: Why Sharps Injuries Still Go Unreported
July 18th 2025Despite being a well-known occupational hazard, sharps injuries continue to occur in health care facilities and are often underreported, underestimated, and inadequately addressed. A recent interview with sharps safety advocate Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, a perioperative educational consultant, reveals why change is overdue and what new tools and guidance can help.
New Study Explores Oral Vancomycin to Prevent C difficile Recurrence, But Questions Remain
July 17th 2025A new clinical trial explores the use of low-dose oral vancomycin to prevent Clostridioides difficile recurrence in high-risk patients taking antibiotics. While the data suggest a possible benefit, the findings stop short of statistical significance and raise red flags about vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), underscoring the delicate balance between prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.
What Lies Beneath: Why Borescopes Are Essential for Verifying Surgical Instrument Cleanliness
July 16th 2025Despite their smooth, polished exteriors, surgical instruments often harbor dangerous contaminants deep inside their lumens. At the HSPA25 and APIC25 conferences, Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, and her colleagues revealed why borescopes are an indispensable tool for sterile processing teams, offering the only reliable way to verify internal cleanliness and improve sterile processing effectiveness to prevent patient harm.
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
Targeting Uncertainty: Why Pregnancy May Be the Best Time to Build Vaccine Confidence
July 15th 2025New national survey data reveal high uncertainty among pregnant individuals—especially first-time parents—about vaccinating their future children, underscoring the value of proactive engagement to strengthen infection prevention.