Syphilis cases are rapidly increasing in the United States, reaching the highest numbers in nearly 75 years.
case of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) increased by 10% in 2022 to reach 203,500. That number has increased 68% since 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Dr. Jarrod Fox, an infectious disease expert at Orlando Health, said there have been “alarming trends” in sexually transmitted diseases in general and syphilis in particular over the past decade.
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Fox News Digital spoke to experts about the potential reasons behind the spread, who is at risk and how to fight the infection.
Experts discussed the potential reasons behind the spread of syphilis, who is at risk, and ways to combat the infection. (St. Petersburg)
What’s behind the surge?
Dr. Brian DiCairo, CEO of Sherlock Biosciences, a diagnostic testing provider in Massachusetts, calls the recent spike in syphilis cases a “multidimensional problem.” public health Issues that reflect “broader systemic challenges.”
“The most important thing is that right now not enough people are getting tested and there’s not enough access to testing, especially among those most at risk,” he told Fox News Digital.
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“Without newer, more available, and accurate tests, people will not know they have a sexually transmitted disease and will therefore be more likely to infect others.”
De Cairo also cited a decline in protected sex, especially among young people, as a contributing factor to the increase.
“Part of this trend is driven by the recognition that successful prevention and treatment of HIV has reduced the risk of sexually transmitted infections,” he said.
“Without newer, more available, and accurate tests, people will not know they have a sexually transmitted disease and will therefore be more likely to infect others,” experts say. told Fox News Digital. (St. Petersburg)
Contributing to the rapid increase are sexual health According to De Cairo, service and professionalism.
“This, combined with broader social and economic inequalities, creates a perfect storm for a syphilis flare-up, particularly affecting marginalized communities,” he said.
“Currently, not enough people are getting tested, and we don’t have enough access to testing.”
Orlando Health’s Fox added that the rise in illicit drug use in the U.S. is leading to more risky sexual contact and therefore an increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
“Dating apps are also on the rise, making it easier for individuals to expand their sexual networks and making it easier for sexually transmitted diseases to spread more widely,” he told Fox News Digital.
Who is most at risk?
According to the CDC, most cases of syphilis affect men who have sex with men (MSM).
Certain racial and ethnic groups are also at higher risk, De Cairo said.
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“For example, Black Americans and American Indians/Alaska Natives have higher rates of infection, likely due to systemic inequalities in health care access,” he said.
To reduce infections among men who have sex with men, De Cairo stressed the need for targeted public health interventions and education.
Symptoms and treatment
Syphilis can cause painless genital ulcers and enlarged inguinal lymph nodes in the early stages, on average three weeks after exposure, Fox noted.
These will heal on their own in 3 to 6 weeks.
“These early symptoms may be missed and diagnosis may be delayed,” he warned.
A rash may appear on the palms and soles of the feet after the initial ulcer has healed, Fox said. Infections can also have neurological and vision-related effects.
This 1966 photomicrograph obtained by the CDC shows a corkscrew-shaped, darkly stained tissue sample full of Treponema pallidum spirochetes, the bacterium that causes syphilis. (CDC)
The main treatment for syphilis is intramuscular injection penicillin injectionFox noted that the number of shots is based on whether it’s an acute or late infection.
“Due to intermittent shortages of penicillin, other treatments such as doxycycline may be used in some cases,” he said.
“Early symptoms may be missed and diagnosis may be delayed.”
De Cairo warned that if left untreated, syphilis can progress through various stages and become more severe.
“While it may initially appear as a painless sore, it can lead to serious health complications if left untreated,” he says.
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“In its later stages, syphilis can cause damage to major organs, neurological problems, blindness, and even death.”
In the case of congenital syphilis, it can be passed from mother to child and can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or severe birth defects, De Cairo said.
What do I need to do?
De Cairo calls for a “comprehensive approach” to reverse the upward trend in syphilis cases.
Increasing access to new types of testing, including at-home tests, is critical to slowing the spread of all sexually transmitted infections, not just syphilis, he said.
This is especially important because people who have one type of infection are more likely to develop another.
Experts called for more clinics to be established and more medical professionals to be trained to treat syphilis patients. (St. Petersburg)
“This will promote safe sex practices and regular testing, improve access to health care (especially in underserved areas), and raise public awareness to destigmatize sexually transmitted diseases. It’s part of broader sexual health education to improve sexual health,” he told FOX News Digital.
Experts also called for more clinics to be established and more medical professionals to be trained.
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“Additionally, targeted interventions will focus on high-risk groups and communities. high infection rate is essential,” DeCaro added.
This would also include prenatal care to prevent the development of congenital syphilis, he said.
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“More public health funding is needed to better care for minority communities that are disproportionately affected by syphilis and other diseases,” Fox said.
“Through these multifaceted efforts, we can reduce the rise in syphilis infections and improve public health outcomes for all communities,” DeChario said.
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