Decreasing incidence of gonorrhea in homosexually active men--minimal effect on risk of AIDS

Abstract

The incidence of gonorrhea in homosexually active men in Seattle-King County and in Washington State as a whole decreased by 57% from 1982 to 1984, compared with a 20% decrease among heterosexual men and women. This probably reflects behavioral changes of homosexual men in response to the epidemic of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Nevertheless, changes in sexual behavior that greatly reduce the incidence of gonorrhea do not necessarily result in a similar reduction in the risk of exposure to the virus that causes AIDS.