Syphilis Infections Surge to Highest Levels Since 1950

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The syphilis outbreak in the U.S. shows no signs of slowing down, as the rate of infectious cases increased by 9% in 2022, according to a recent federal government report on sexually transmitted diseases among adults.

In 2022, the total number of syphilis cases exceeded 207,000 in the United States, reaching the highest level since 1950, according to data published on Tuesday.

While the syphilis epidemic still disproportionately affects gay and bisexual men, it is now spreading among heterosexual men and women, and is also increasingly impacting newborns, according to CDC officials.

Syphilis, a bacterial infection, initially presents as painless sores in the genital area but can progress to cause paralysis, hearing loss, dementia, and even death when not treated.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services established a task force dedicated to halting the transmission of syphilis, particularly targeting areas with the most significant rates of the STD, including South Dakota, 12 other states, and the District of Columbia.

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