Paying More Attention on Syphilis

Data is about numbers and numbers do not lie. In fact, at a time like now, they are not lying at all. They are showing that syphilis is back, and not in a small way. It is here with us, in a very big way. Not knowing this could mean that when you catch it, you will not know that you have it. And that could hinder your diagnosis and treatment. If it is not treated in good time, the bacteria that cause syphilis infections can also affect your brain. Now, numbers show that in the years between 2010 to 2015, the syphilis bacterial infections went up by more than 60 percent.

But there is some good news and this is that if it is discovered that a person has been infected with syphilis, treatment is fast because the right antibiotics are readily available at a cheap price. But that syphilis is on the rise is no big deal because lately, there has been in influx of STD cases among Americans. Because of its seeming disappearance from the scene, it is as if many people decided that syphilis was not worth worrying about and so they stopped caring about it.

What are the syphilis infections rates?

The highest rate of syphilis infection has been recorded among black men who have sex with men. That does not mean that the infection is secluded there because even heterosexual people, Latino and white alike can also get this infection. One of the things that are to “blame” is that for many years, there has been little to no education on this infection.

Thankfully, with the advances in medical technology, it is now very easy for everyone to get tested, especially people in the risk groups. This means that even Same Day STD Testing is now readily available where you can get the results the same day. Faster diagnosis means faster treatment.

One thing that has brought STDs back so strongly is that since the entrance of the HIV scourge, sexually transmitted infections have become less frightening. Most of them are also treatable; the only problem is that people do not get diagnosis in good time.

Another thing that may cause an increase in the rate of infection is that today, people have become freer and less committed in relationships meaning that most people have more than one sexual partner. In addition, even those who have one partner may not be very willing to divulge their status about STIs. This could thus cause an increased rate of infection.

How is syphilis transmitted?

This is usually through direct skin contact from the person carrying the bacteria to the other sexual partner. If people have sex without protection, then that puts them in immediate danger of infecting or getting infected with syphilis.

With many people regarding syphilis infections as another person’s trouble, you know, something that could never happen to them, that alone means that people are not extra careful concerning this infection. However, experts advise people to go for STD testing whenever they get a new sexual partner. This is a precautionary move, but it is very well advised.