STDs on the rise in the US

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September 28, 2017 | Health Matters

STDs on the rise in the US

Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse in the United States, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) revealed that sexually transmitted diseases hit a record high in the country last year.

Officials said there were over two million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis nationwide.

Chlamydia, a bacterial infection that affects both men and women, accounted for most of the cases (1.6 million in total). Cases of syphilis increased by almost 18 percent. And gonorrhea increased by over 22 percent in men, hitting men who have sex with men the hardest.

Currently all three STDs can be treated with antibiotics, though gonorrhea is becoming increasingly resistant to conventional treatment.

"Increases in STDs are a clear warning of a growing threat," said Jonathan Mermin, director of CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. "STDs are a persistent enemy, growing in number, and outpacing our ability to respond."

"Clearly we need to reverse this disturbing trend," added Gail Bolan, MD, director of CDC's division of STD prevention. "The CDC cannot do this alone and we need every community in America to be aware that this risk is out there and help educate their citizens on how to avoid it."

Of course, these numbers reflect reported cases, so the numbers are much worse in reality. And PrEP won't help you here, which is why condoms are still the best option for prevention.