GonCas gonorrhea, sexually transmitted disease, STD, sexually transmitted infection, STI GonCas.UT_US Rate of newly reported cases of gonorrhea by date of diagnosis per 100,000 population. Number of newly reported cases of gonorrhea by date of diagnosis. Number of persons in Utah. Reported gonorrhea rates are calculated by dividing the number of cases within the population of interest by the total number of persons within that population, then multiplying by 100,000. It should be noted that because of the relatively small number of gonorrhea infections reported in Utah, rates can be volatile: a small change in the number of cases can noticeably change the rate. This change may look significant, but, statistically, it may not be. Caution is strongly recommended when interpreting small case numbers and rates. 02/23/2024 Although much less common than chlamydia infections, gonorrhea, caused by the bacterium ''Neisseria gonorrhoeae'', is a priority public health concern in Utah. Untreated gonorrhea infections can damage the reproductive systems of both males and females. Females with gonorrhea infection are at risk for developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and both men and women may become infertile as a result of untreated gonorrhea infections. Also, susceptibility to infections such as HIV also increases when an individual has gonorrhea. Furthermore, pregnant women with gonorrhea can pass the infection to their infant during delivery, potentially resulting in ophthalmia neonatorum. Gonorrhea can spread to the blood stream and settle in the joints, brain, and heart becoming systemic or known as disseminated gonorrhea. In addition to the cervix and urethra, the rectum and pharynx are also possible sites of gonococcal infection. Following a doubling of the Utah gonorrhea rate from 2003 to 2006, when the rate peaked at 35.2 cases per 100,000 persons, the Utah gonorrhea rate decreased annually to the lowest reported rate of 9.8 in 2011. From 2011 to 2022, gonorrhea rates increased 830.6% to 91.2 cases per 100,000 persons. In 2022, gonorrhea rates in the state were higher in males (118.4 cases per 100,000 persons) than in females (63.1 cases per 100,000 persons). Rates in females increased 1,242.6% from 2011 to 2022, compared to 694.6% among males during the same time frame. The highest rates of gonorrhea in Utah in 2022 were among males aged 25 to 29 (370.1 cases per 100,000 persons) and males aged 30 to 34 (309.1 cases per 100,000 persons). Gonorrhea rates in Utah are well below rates in the U.S. In 2022, the Utah gonorrhea rate ranked 44th highest in the nation. The overall rate for gonorrhea in the U.S. in 2022 was 194.4 cases per 100,000 persons. Nationally in 2022, gonorrhea rates were higher in males (236.3 cases per 100,000 persons) than females (152.1 cases per 100,000 persons). Gonorrhea rates were highest among males aged 20 to 24 (739.4 cases per 100,000 persons) and females aged 20 to 24 (715.1 cases per 100,000 persons). The next highest groups were males aged 25 to 29 (708.7 cases per 100,000 persons) and females aged 15 to 19 (525.7 cases per 100,000 persons). (CDC. [https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2022/tables/21.htm ''Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance''], 2024) Persons who test positive for gonorrhea are confidentially interviewed by a disease intervention specialist (DIS) from a local health department (LHD) to educate the patient, ensure proper treatment, and to obtain sexual partner information for follow up. This process potentially prevents the spread of infection and reduces the likelihood of the patient becoming reinfected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends that patients with gonococcal infections be treated with a mono antibiotic therapy to improve gonorrhea treatment effectiveness, and potentially slow the emergence of antibiotic resistance. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services HIV/STD, Elimination, Analysis, Response, and Treatment (HEART) along with LHDs, currently provide STI presentations upon request to a variety of organizations, agencies, and facilities. Some local health districts (LHDs) have STI (sexually transmitted infection) clinics located at their LHD where adolescents can be tested and treated for STIs at minimal or no cost. Planned Parenthood and other community based organizations have locations throughout Utah that also provide STI services at minimal cost. Condoms are available at these locations free of cost. STI presentations are available through the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) upon request. DHHS also has educational pamphlets available. Utah's consent of minor to treatment law allows adolescents 14 and older to be tested and treated for an STD without the consent of a parent. The exact law can be found here: [https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title26B/Chapter7/26B-7-S214.html?v=C26B-7-S214_2023050320230503] Fact sheets for communicable diseases may be found on the Office of Communicable Diseases website [https://epi.utah.gov/atozlist/]. STI resources and reports are available on the DHHS HIV/STD, Elimination, Analysis, Response, and Treatment (HEART) Program website [https://epi.utah.gov/ptc-std/]. Screening Guidelines [https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/screening-recommendations.htm]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention website [https://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ''Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2022''. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2024. [https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2022/default.htm]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines 2021 [http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment]. ELS_Epi ledvalson@utah.gov A 04/26/2024 Detail modified by: dllarson@utah.gov, 02/23/2024 Note: Include desirable values 3 x 04/26/2024 Status changed by: kimneerings@utah.gov 04/26/2024 PopChar In Utah from 2000 to 2022, gonorrhea rates among males have consistently been higher than among females. In 2022, gonorrhea rates in Utah were highest among males aged 25 to 29 (370.1 cases per 100,000 persons) and 30 to 34 (309.1 cases per 100,000 persons). Among females, the highest gonorrhea rate was among persons aged 20 to 24 (233.0 cases per 100,000 persons). AgeDistPop AgeDistPop.Ut_US SystemFactors Gonorrhea may be reported more frequently in men than women because most infections in men produce symptoms that cause them to seek testing and treatment, while infections in women may not produce significant symptoms until complications develop (e.g. PID). Dual chlamydia/gonorrhea testing technology has improved reported rates of both infections. RiskFactors Risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases include: * sexual activity among young adults 25 and younger * multiple sex partners * prior history of STIs * unprotected sex * illicit drug use. [[br]] Those who fall within one or more of these categories should be tested for STIs in regular intervals. Sites of infection may include pharynx, rectum, vagina, cervix, and urethra. AgeDistPop AgeDistPop.Ut_US AlcConBinDri AlcConBinDri.UT_US ChlamCas ChlamCas.UT_US HIV_AIDS HIV_AIDS.NewYr SubAbuAdol SubAbuAdol.Alc_UT_US SyphCas SyphCas.UT_US HealthStatus Untreated gonorrhea in women may advance to PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), resulting in an increased likelihood of ectopic pregnancy, preterm delivery, or infertility. Untreated gonorrhea in men may result in infertility. Furthermore, pregnant women with gonorrhea can pass the infection to their infant during delivery, potentially resulting in ophthalmia neonatorum. Gonorrhea can spread to the blood stream and settle in the joints, brain, and heart to become systemic (disseminated gonorrhea). PreBir PreBir.UT_US GonCas.UT_US Utah and U.S., 1992-2022 Cases per 100,000 Persons GonCas.AgeSex by Age and Sex, Utah, 2022 Cases per 100,000 Persons GonCas.Race by Race/Ethnicity, Utah, 2022 Cases per 100,000 Persons GonCas.LHD by Local Health District, Utah, 2022 Cases per 100,000 Population