Who should receive annual chlamydia and gonorrhea screening according to USPSTF and CDC?

• A. All sexually active females aged twenty-four years and younger
• B. All women over 25
• C. All sexually active males
• D. All adolescents regardless of sex

Answer: (A)

Screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea is strongly recommended in sexually active young women because this group has the highest prevalence and many infections are asymptomatic, yet untreated infections can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and other complications. The guidance from USPSTF and CDC supports annual screening for all sexually active females 24 years of age and younger, so this age group is the one carrying the universal screening recommendation. In contrast, routine universal screening is not used for all men, nor for all older women; testing is targeted to higher-risk groups, including MSM and sexually active individuals with risk factors. Practically, screening is typically done with a urine test or vaginal swab and is intended to be easy and noninvasive, enabling early detection and treatment to prevent complications.