The latest CDC report shows an increase in chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis cases in the US for the third year in a row. Of these three most common curable infections, syphilis has shown the greatest increase - up 18% from 2015 to 2016 - and up nearly 35% among women! Thought syphilis was a disease of the past, something that only historic monarchs got? Wrong!
Photo: Treponema pallidum, the organism that causes syphilis.
Even more common, half of all chlamydia and gonorrhea cases occur in young people ages 15-24. Because of this, CDC recommends annual screening for this age group and more frequent screening based on risk factors (such as change in partner) for all age groups.
I ran across this great article (from Teen Vogue - complete with interactive map) about the increase in STIs in the US since 2014. The map includes key STI stats for some of the hottest spring break destinations - just sayin'! :)