The number of sexually transmitted diseases continues to increase in the United States. Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2.5 million cases of STDs were reported in 2021. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis cases increased the most. Congenital syphilis cases alone surged 32% and caused 220 stillbirths and infant deaths.
The CDC urges an increased in condom use, STD testing, and sex education to help combat the surging number of cases. Additionally, many people don鈥檛 feel at risk, and their attitudes towards STDs鈥攁lso called sexually transmitted infections or STIs鈥攌eep them from being tested and getting treatment.
鈥淓mbarrassment and misinformation may be allowing an epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases to flourish in the United States,鈥 says Andrew Pavia, MD, chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at 麻豆学生精品版. 鈥淭here can be a sense of shame or stigma about STDs that get in the way of good care.鈥
High-Risk Populations
Historically, some populations are more at risk for STDs. Younger men and women, men who have sex with other men, and historically disadvantaged groups traditionally have higher rates of infection.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e sexually active outside of a long-term mutually monogamous relationship you may be at risk,鈥 Pavia says.
Another group that may be overlooking their STD status鈥攁nd definitely shouldn鈥檛 be鈥攊s pregnant people. STDs, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis, can be treated and cured with antibiotics that are safe to take while pregnant. Infections that aren鈥檛 treated can be passed on to the fetus and can lead to serious health complications or even death.
鈥淧regnant women should get tested for HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia,鈥 Pavia says. 鈥 is on the rise in Utah and the US. If undetected, it can have devastating consequences for the infant, but effective treatment is available.鈥
The same is true for HIV. With proper treatment of HIV during pregnancy, Pavia says there is essentially no chance of transmission from an HIV-positive woman to her child, and she can have a healthy baby.
Infants aren鈥檛 the only ones at risk for long-term health complications from STDs. Leaving an infection undetected and untreated can cause serious problems鈥攅ven if there are no symptoms.
鈥淭he long-term complication that impacts the greatest number of people is infertility related to untreated chlamydia. And untreated syphilis in adults can attack the brain, spinal cord, eyes, or the heart. Hepatitis C or hepatitis B cause chronic liver problems if untreated and can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer."
Health Care Inequalities
While STDs impact everyone, there are inequities in health care. A decrease in funding for public health may have decreased access to affordable and confidential STD care for many people. The COVID-19 pandemic increased this awareness of social and economic barriers.
Research has shown that STDs disproportionately impact women and disadvantaged groups, including Black, Hispanic, and Native American people.
STD's are Preventable
Stopping the spread of STDs isn鈥檛 only about detection and treatment but also prevention. Condoms are still effective protection for most STDs, but for one common STD, there is a vaccine.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is one of the most important vaccines for you and your child. About 13 million people in the United States are infected with HPV each year, and there is no cure.
鈥淗PV can cause cancer of the cervix, throat, penis, and anus鈥攂ut the HPV vaccine is extremely effective,鈥 Pavia says. 鈥淪adly, many of the people who could benefit haven鈥檛 been vaccinated yet.鈥
Ignoring the spread of STDs in the United States won鈥檛 make them go away. In fact, lack of education and discussion about STDs could be a reason they continue to rapidly spread.
鈥淲e need to change course and be open about discussing sexual health, the need for STD testing, where testing is available, and how simple treatment can be,鈥 Pavia says. 鈥淪tarting these discussions is the first step in making changes and reducing harm.鈥
You can learn more about the CDC鈥檚 guidelines for here.