Although chlamydia remains the most common STI in the US, the recent surge in syphilis cases is particularly troubling for health officials. The CDC data shows that cases of syphilis at all stages have risen by 80 percent in the past five years. It is not just adults who are at risk of contracting syphilis; babies are also vulnerable. When a child gets syphilis from the mother during pregnancy or birth, it is referred to as congenital syphilis. Shockingly, there has been a 937 percent increase in reported cases of congenital syphilis in the past decade, with over 3,700 cases in 2022 alone.
While it is encouraging that syphilis is curable with the right antibiotics, the real issue lies in the lack of timely diagnosis and treatment. If left untreated, syphilis can cause irreversible harm to the body, especially in babies. It can lead to developmental delays, seizures, and even death. In adults, the disease spreads through sexual contact and progresses through stages. The primary stage involves sores, while the secondary stage presents with rashes and flu-like symptoms. The infection is most contagious during the first two stages, but if it progresses to the third stage, it can be fatal.
The escalating cases of early-stage syphilis poses a significant threat to the health of babies across the nation. The number of cases of congenital syphilis has increased by 31 percent in just one year. Tragically, reports show that there were 282 stillbirths and infant deaths in 2022 due to these infections. Prompt testing and treatment during pregnancy could have prevented 88 percent of these cases, emphasizing the importance of early intervention.
Public health officials, including the CDC, are urging swift action and collaboration from all experts involved in STI prevention. Organizations like the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the American Sexual Health Association, and the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSDDC) are also calling for immediate measures to address the escalating crisis.
While President Biden has initiated a plan to tackle the rising STI cases in the US, there is uncertainty surrounding the funding for these efforts. Despite the urgent need for resources to combat the situation, the White House’s 2025 budget blueprint does not include any increase in federal STI funding for the CDC. This lack of financial support jeopardizes the progress in STI prevention and treatment efforts, leaving public health officials grappling with the growing epidemic.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
Leave a Reply