STD Rates in the U.S. Hit All-Time High
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that more than 2 million new cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported in the United States in 2016, the highest number ever recorded.
There were 1.6 million new cases of chlamydia, 470,000 cases of gonorrhea, and almost 28,000 cases of primary and secondary syphilis (highly infectious stages of the disease). Nearly half of all new chlamydia infections were diagnosed in young women, while gay and bisexual men who have sex with men experienced the highest rates of increase in syphilis and gonorrhea diagnoses from 2015 to 2016.
Syphilis rates also increased by 36 percent in women and 28 percent in newborns (congenital syphilis). More than 600 cases of congenital syphilis were reported in 2016, resulting in more than 40 deaths and causing severe health complications in babies.
Most sexually transmitted infections can be treated and cured with antibiotics, but undiagnosed and untreated cases can cause serious health problems, including infertility and an increased risk for life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth in infants, and HIV transmission. Congenital syphilis is preventable through routine screening and timely treatment in women who are pregnant, according to the CDC.