Rise in S.T.D.s: Who are at most risk?

Last year more cases of sexually transmitted diseases were recorded than ever before, according to new federal data. Three of the most common S.T.D.s – chlaymydia, gonorrhea and syphilis – grew for the second consecutive year. Worst thing about this sharp spread is many cases go undiagnosed potentially causing infertility and other problems.

The syphilis rate rose by 19% which is highest among the group of three most  common S.T.D.s. A particular worry for public health officials is an increase in number of babies whose mothers are passing it to them in utero, which may lead to stillbirths and infant deaths.

Who is most vulnerable to the rise in S.T.D.s?

The most venerable individuals with the rise in S.T.D.s are young people, members of the racial minorities and men who have sex with other men.

Chlaymydia is common among young people with ages 15-to-24 years. Though this condition disproportionately affects women, the rate of reported cases reveals it grew more sharply among men. With more than 1.5 million cases reported last year, chlaymydia grew by 5.9 percent.

Majority of the new gonorrhea and syphilis cases are reported among gay men, however rates for women witnessed a rise too. Terrible thing about gonorrhea is it becoming increasingly resistant to most of the antibiotics capable of treating it. Rates of gonorrhea are high among black, although for last few years rates are climbing for whites and other ethnic groups.

Syphilis is most common to gay men, its rate among women grew by 27 percent and the rate of congenital syphilis, passed from pregnant women to their babies, grew by 6 percent.

What factors are driving the growth of S.T.D.s?

There are number of reasons to blame for this rise in S.T.D.s rates. Public health officials point to budget cuts which crippled more than half state and local programs that provide testing and treatment for S.T.D.s.

“Those are among primary places where we actually diagnose and treat S.T.D. as well as H.I.V.,” said Dr. Jonathan Mermin, the director of the agency’s National Center for H.I.V./AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, S.T.D. and TB Prevention. 

Dr Mermin also pointed to the popularity of dating apps like Tinder could possible contributing to this rise in S.T.D. and some local health departments believe that there is a link. “But it’s not completely clear, the cause and effect at this point,” he added.