‘Syphilis epidemic’: STD cases surge in US

Syphilis rates have been rising for years, made worse by drug shortages.

In the United States, cases of the sexually transmitted disease syphilis have surged to levels not seen in more than seven decades.according to a new report Cases increased nearly 80% between 2018 and 2022, to more than 207,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2022, 3,755 babies born with syphilis were reported in the United States, a staggering 937% increase over the past decade, the CDC said.

“The syphilis crisis in our country is unacceptable. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to addressing this urgent issue and using all available tools to eliminate inequities in our health care system. These actions we are taking will help Make sure we improve outcomes for birth parents and newborns. We must prevent more deaths from congenital syphilis, a completely preventable disease.” Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra at said in a statement. Press release.

Notably, more than 170,000 cases of syphilis were reported in 1951, but after the widespread use of antibiotics, the numbers dropped dramatically. Over the past two decades, however, their numbers have risen again. Doctors now hope to reverse the epidemic.

Experts point to two main reasons for the increase in cases. Dr. Nima Majlesi told new york post People are using condoms less and less frequently these days. Second, he said, syphilis has become so rare in recent decades that even doctors often fail to recognize it in its early stages. Penicillin shortages also contributed to the increase.

It is worth noting that syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum bacteria. The disease begins as a usually painless sore, usually on the genitals, rectum, or mouth. Syphilis is spread from person to person through direct contact with these sores.

Diagnosing syphilis is difficult because it has four stages. The most common way to detect syphilis is through a simple blood test. Early syphilis is treatable, sometimes with just a dose of penicillin.

However, if left untreated, syphilis can severely damage the heart and brain and can lead to blindness, deafness, and paralysis. When transmitted during pregnancy, it can cause miscarriage, lifelong medical problems, and infant death.