STD All-Time Record High

Studies recently showed, in the U.S. an STD all time high took place in 2016. The most common diseases were chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.

“STD’s are a persistent enemy, growing in number and outpacing our ability to respond,” director of the CDC’s National Center for STD Prevention Jonathan Mermin said.

According to the National Center for HIV/AIDS, there were 1.6 million cases of chlamydia, 470,000 of gonorrhea cases, and 28,000 cases of primary and secondary syphilis. All three STD’s can be cured with antibiotics, but if left untreated, can cause serious medical issues including infertility, stillbirth in infants, and increased risk for HIV transmission.

“STD’s are out of control with enormous health implications for Americans,” executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors David Harvey said. “If not treated, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis can have serious consequences.”

Syphilis rates grew 28 percent among newborns from 2015 to 2016. There were more than 600 cases of syphilis-infected newborns in 2016, causing more than 40 deaths and severe health complications.

“For the first time in many years, we are now seeing more cases of babies born with congenital syphilis than babies born with HIV,” Harvey said.