HIV Prevention Through Early Detection and Treatment of Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases -- United States

Early detection and treatment of other STDs should be a critical component of national, state, and local strategies to prevent HIV infection and AIDS, in concert with the behavioral and other interventions that constitute a comprehensive HIV prevention approach. Because the United States has the highest rates of curable STDs among industrialized nations ^(39,40) and a high prevalence of HIV infection, ⁽¹⁰³⁾ the potential impact of enhanced STD control on the prevention of sexually transmitted HIV infections in the United States is likely to be substantial. The initial steps outlined in this report should be implemented by state and local HIV and STD prevention programs as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention effort. Evaluation of these initial efforts should be used to guide subsequent implementation of this strategy.