Life-threatening sexually transmitted diseases remain 'out of control' across the US, according to the latest data from the CDC

health

by Adriana Diaz

Health authorities have warned that the rise in life-threatening sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is “out of control”.

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that sexually transmitted infections are on the rise with alarm, putting the lives of millions of people at risk from completely preventable infections.

The CDC warned Tuesday that “sexually transmitted diseases must be a public health priority.”

Health officials said their “most worrying concerns” revolved around syphilis cases, noting that the number of syphilis cases is at its highest level in more than 70 years.

While reported chlamydia cases remain at record highs, gonorrhea cases have fallen for the first time in at least a decade.

Both syphilis and gonorrhea can be fatal if left untreated for too long.

The National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) said in a statement Tuesday that “CDC's latest STI data shows that our nation is facing a rapidly worsening public health crisis that is putting real lives at risk. “There is,” he warned.

According to 2022, the most recent data available, there were more than 2.5 million reported cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia in the United States.

Late last year, the Department of Health and Human Services created the Federal Task Force on National Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis Syndrome (NSCSS) to slow the spread of the disease, but its impact has not yet been recognized.

According to CDC data, in 1951 there were more than 170,000 reported cases of syphilis. After antibiotics became widely available, that number decreased dramatically. By 1998, the number of annual infections had fallen below 40,000, but has risen again over the past two decades.

“People are using condoms less and less often,” Dr. Nima Majleshi, director of medical toxicology at Staten Island University Hospital, told the Post, adding that public health messages have “emphasized the importance of safe sex” in recent years. It’s gone,” he said.

STI infection rates have risen sharply across the country since coronavirus lockdown restrictions were lifted.

However, the NCSD warned that the 2022 data does not reflect the effects of the Vicilin LA (congenital syphilis drug) shortage that began last spring or STI's layoffs last summer due to the debt ceiling agreement.

“The reality is that 2023 data will be even worse,” NCSD said.