The United States is facing some of its highest sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates of the 21st century, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). When left untreated, some of the most common STDs can cause serious health complications.
The CDC releases an annual report regarding STD statistics in the U.S., and they made their 2015 data publicly available in October 2016. The report shows that the national rates of common STDs chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis have all increased from 2014 to 2015.
Chlamydia
With more than 1.5 million cases reported in 2015, chlamydia is the most common STD in the U.S. It often causes no symptoms, but when left untreated in women, it can cause a condition called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause permanent damage to the reproductive system, making it more difficult for a woman to become pregnant and increasing the risk of an ectopic (outside of the uterus) pregnancy. Fortunately, when healthcare providers identify chlamydia through testing, it is easily treated.
There has been a steady increase in chlamydia cases from 2000 to 2015. There were an estimated 251 cases per 100,000 people in 2000, but that number rose to almost 479 in 2015.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported STD in the U.S. with 400,000 cases reported in 2015. As with chlamydia, gonorrhea is often asymptomatic in both men and women. However, if it goes untreated for too long, it can cause PID in women. In rare cases, untreated gonorrhea can also cause men to become sterile.
Drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are on the rise, which makes this STD harder to treat. However, the CDC recommends the combination of ceftriaxone and azithromycin as an effective treatment.
Reported gonorrhea cases hit an all-time low in 2009 with 98 cases per 100,000 people. However, the infection rate of this common STD was up to almost 124 cases per 100,000 in 2015.
Syphilis
While less common than chlamydia and gonorrhea, syphilis still poses a serious threat. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, which makes it difficult to detect. One of the possible signs, a painless sore, is often mistaken for an ingrown hair or benign bump. Secondary stage signs may include a mild rash, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, a sore throat, muscle aches, and fatigue. Syphilis can last for decades, and in its late stages, it can cause impaired coordination, paralysis, dementia, and blindness.
Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics, but medication will not undo the damage that has already occurred, so it’s important to catch this STD early.
Syphilis rates have risen from 2.1 cases per 100,000 people in 2000 to 7.5 cases per 100,000 in 2015.
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Syphilis Rate by age group, 2006-2015. Source: cdc.gov |
What Does the Rise in STDs Rates Mean?
The rise in reported STDs may, at least in part, be due to more people getting tested and more sensitive tests becoming available to healthcare providers. As a result, people who might have previously gone undiagnosed are getting tested and receiving the treatment they need.
However, it’s not all good news. STD rates may also be rising in part because funding is being cut for many healthcare programs and clinics that educate people about, test for, and treat STDs. Due to these budget cuts, STD prevention resources are being stretched thin.
Preventive Measures
The CDC provides several recommendations for reducing the rate of STDs:
- Healthcare providers should make STD screening a standard part of medical care.
- There needs to be better public education about STDs, the importance of getting tested regularly, and how sexually active people can reduce the risk of STDs by using condoms or practicing mutual monogamy
- Parents and healthcare providers should educate teenagers about safe sex and the risks associated with STDs.
- State and local health departments should continue to direct resources to the regions and people at the highest risk of STDs. These departments should partner with community organizations to expand their reach.
Reducing the nationwide STD rates should have significant payoffs in terms of saving money on healthcare and improving the health of individuals.
