Syphilis was almost completely eradicated in the United States in 2000 but according to the new 2005-2013 data from CDC, syphilis is back with a doubling rate since 2005.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease which is rising among bisexual and gay men. Over 90 percent of cases are reported by men and lack of medical follow-up and secrecy are the main causes of the spread.
The rate of syphilis in the U.S. in 2013 was 5.3 reported cases in 100,000 people, a number twice the lowest number of 2.1 reported cases in 100,000 people in 2000. The April 28, 2014 report shows that the annual total cases of primary and secondary syphilis doubled from 8,724 to 16,663.
The CDC reported that most cases were diagnosed in men who have sexual intercourse with fellow men. CDC said that the rise of syphilis cases is a major public health concern especially since syphilis and associated behaviors in acquiring it also increase the risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV.
Based on the CDC report, there are large ethnic and racial differences among people who acquire syphilis. It shows that black men are five times more likely to get the disease than white men and black women are 13 times more likely to get the disease than white women.
According to the CDC: "Disclosure of sexual practices remains difficult for some men who have sex with men; therefore, providers are encouraged to elicit sexual histories of their patients in a culturally appropriate manner, including recognition of sexual orientation, gender identity, and the sex of patients' sex partners." The agency recommends that health care professionals encourage safe sex practices and increase STD screenings.
If left undetected and untreated, syphilis can lead to serious brain and nerve damage. Syphilis can also cause blindness, dementia and death. Women are more at risk to the infection because it can be asymptomatic or mild in women. The sores from syphilis can go without pain and be mistaken for just ingrown hair. Syphilis' early symptoms include fever and rash which can easily be mistaken for other conditions. Pregnant women who do not know they have syphilis can put their babies in danger as the infection can have serious effects such as prematurity, low birth weight and stillbirth.
