Listen up #Roommates, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) is here to let you know that things are getting very serious in regards to the increasing rates of a select number of STDs—based on the warning just issued, the lack of using regular protection during sex has come with alarming consequences.
As @CBSNews reports, STD infections in the United States from three sexually transmitted diseases hit a record high in 2018, and threatening millions of Americans in the process. The STDs in question are syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia., according to official findings from the CDC. Based on a 2018 STD Surveillance Report, the combined cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia reached an all-time high with more than 2.4 million new cases.
For a more thorough breakdown, that means over 1.75 million cases of chlamydia were reported in 2018, that’s most ever reported to the CDC—and cases of primary and secondary syphilis, which are the two most infectious stages, rose 14% since 2017, with more than 35,000 cases. That’s the most reported in almost 30 years, 1991 to be exact. Additionally, a total of 583,405 gonorrhea cases were reported, or a 63% increase since 2014, which is the highest number reported in 28 years.
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To say the CDC is concerned is an understatement, as they are specifically worried about the transmission of congenital syphilis, an STD that is passed from a mother to her child during pregnancy. There has been a 40% increase in congenital syphilis from 2017 to 2018 something the CDC calls “a dangerous trend” and part of a “growing STD epidemic.” The reported newborn deaths from syphilis increased 22%, from 77 deaths in 2017 to 94 deaths in 2018.
As for what is contributing to the increase in STD rates, the CDC cites lack of condom use among sexually active people, drug use and poverty, and limited resources brought on by eliminations to STD programs and clinic closures at the state and local level.
The CDC also wants to alert Americans that many cases of these STDs go undiagnosed or untreated, making the issue even worse because the data recorded highlights only “a fraction of America’s STD epidemic.” Antibiotics can cure syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, but they must be caught early enough for the medication to work effectively.
On a final note, throughout the years, gonorrhea has become so resistant to antibiotics that there is currently only one that works against it, Ceftriaxone (Rocephin.) Seriously, everyone please practice safe sex, it’s scary out here.
Roommates, what are your thoughts on this?
