WASHINGTON – U.S. health officials are issuing a sharp warning, following the dramatic increase in STDS, and they are asking the federal government for help.
For the fifth year in a row, rates of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia have gone up, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About 2.4 million new cases of these STDS were reported in the U.S. in 2018, reaching an all time high.
Alaska, Mississippi, and Neveda had the highest reported rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis respectively. But, Washington D.C. reported the highest rate of all three diseases.
All three of these diseases are treatable, but if left untreated, it can cause problems with the prostate and testicles.
Women could suffer damage the reproductive system, if a pregnant woman has syphillis and leaves it untreated, they pass it to the baby through their placenta, which could be life-threatening to the baby.
The D.C. Department of Health says the rise in cases could be that screenings are more readily available, leading to more people getting tested. however, according to the CDC, the use of condoms is on the decline.
Experts are focusing on education as the best method towards prevention as well as utilizing testing and available treatment services.
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