In Mississippi, if you were to gather a group of 100 people, it’s likely that at least one person would have an STD. The rate of STDs in the state hovers around 1,200 cases per 100,000 individuals, translating to about 1 in 100 people. Mississippi has struggled with high incidences of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV for quite some time.
Previously, Hinds County held the unfortunate title of the county with the highest STD rates in the nation. Now, however, there’s a worrying increase in congenital syphilis cases, prompting medical professionals to label it an epidemic—a trend seen across the country.
As per a recent CDC report, Mississippi ranks third nationwide for primary and secondary syphilis cases, fifth for gonorrhea, and second for chlamydia. Syphilis, similar to other sexually transmitted infections, spreads through bacteria found in infected fluids, typically during sexual activity.
Symptoms of STDs can vary widely, often presenting as painful sores, burning sensations, or unusual discharges. But with syphilis, the initial symptoms can be subtle—sometimes even non-existent. Dr. Kayla Stover, a pharmacy practice professor at the University of Mississippi, notes that early on, individuals might only develop a painless sore, which may resolve spontaneously without treatment.
This lack of visible symptoms can be misleading. If untreated, the disease could lie dormant for years, quietly progressing and leading to more serious complications. Dr. Stover refers to it as “The Great Imitator,” indicating how its symptoms can be confused with other illnesses.
In the secondary stage, a rash may appear, often on the palms. Early treatment is crucial; syphilis can usually be cured with a penicillin shot. But if it moves into the latent stage, it can start causing damage to internal organs. By the time it reaches the tertiary stage, it can severely affect the brain or heart, potentially leading to paralysis or dementia.
Throughout all stages, the infected person remains contagious, risking transmission to sexual partners, and potentially passing it on to a child during childbirth—a process referred to as congenital syphilis. Alarmingly, Mississippi has reported a staggering 1,000% increase in these cases recently, from just 10 in 2016 to 110 in 2022.
In cases of congenital syphilis, a child can acquire the infection either while still in the womb or during birth, which may lead to serious health complications or even death. Dr. Stover mentions that a concerning demographic for syphilis infections is young people aged 14 to 24, as the disease poses a significant infertility risk.
It’s clear that these challenges go beyond individual risk; they affect families and community expectations, says Dr. Stover. Deja Abdul-Haqq, director of a local public health nonprofit, points out a noticeable uptick in syphilis cases following the COVID-19 pandemic, attributing it simply to an increase in condomless sex.
Abdul-Haqq believes there’s a significant gap in education regarding the effectiveness of condoms in preventing STDs. This is a complicated issue in Mississippi, where sex education programs in schools cannot include demonstrations on how to use condoms. For instance, a teacher in 2015 was suspended for simply demonstrating condom use on a cucumber in class.
Additionally, there is a lack of awareness about modern preventive medications like PrEP and Doxy-PEP, which can prevent HIV and certain STDs. Abdul-Haqq speculates about the potential difference if more mothers exposed to syphilis had received timely Doxy-PEP treatment.
Dr. Stover reiterates that Mississippi’s sex education falls behind that of other states. She also points out that with available treatments like PrEP, people might not fear unprotected sex as much as they used to.
Notably, data shows that Black men in Mississippi have higher syphilis rates compared to other demographics. A 2019 report indicated that of 690 reported cases, over half occurred in Black men, with Black women accounting for the second-highest rate.
Abdul-Haqq asserts that the delay in spreading vital information to Black communities plays a significant role in these statistics, blaming broader systemic issues rather than individual choices.
To combat this, various billboard campaigns have emerged in the state, designed to increase awareness about STDs. However, Abdul-Haqq feels that these campaigns are often too vague and do not effectively engage the Black community.
