Syphilis Is Rising in the U.S. Here ’ s What to Know About the Sexually Transmitted Infection

Sexually transmitted infections are rising in the U.S.—particularly syphilis, which increased by 26% from 2020 to 2021, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published in September. Especially troubling is a 24% rise during that time period of congenital syphilis, which infects fetuses in the womb and can cause birth defects in or even kill infants. Fortunately, syphilis can be easily treated and cured. However, people who are infected don’t necessarily know it—and without detection and treatment, the disease can have devastating consequences. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Here’s what you need to know about the rising rates of syphilis and how to protect yourself. Why syphilis is on the rise Syphilis dropped to a historic low in 2000 but has increased almost every year in the U.S. since then. Experts say that’s for several reasons, including a lack of investment in public health in the U.S. and stigma surrounding sex, says Dr. Edward Hook, a professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and director of the STD Control Program for the Jefferson County Department of Health. Public-health clinics, where people often get STI tests, are chronically underfunded in the U.S. The COVID-19 pandemic made the situation worse, since under-staffed public-health clinics redirected resources to cope with the outbreak. Given that syphilis has had tests and treatments for decades, says Ho...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized COVID-19 Disease healthscienceclimate Source Type: news