In the United States, an increasing number of people are being infected with sexually transmitted diseases. Many health professionals have stated that the situation is an epidemic. According to health statistics that have been released by the government, the most common sexually transmitted disease, chlamydia, has risen to record levels.
Last year, the number of cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis that were reported increased. In 2014, more than 1.4 million cases of chlamydia were reported. This represents 456 cases for every 100,000 people and an increase of 3% over 2013. This is the highest rate of the disease that has ever been reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
A representative of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Jonathan Mermin, said “America’s worsening STD epidemic is a clear call for better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.”
More than 70 different diseases are reportable to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Other reportable diseases include measles, chickenpox and tuberculosis. Some disorders, such as the flu, are reported by hospitalizations.
Meanwhile, the number of reported cases of gonorrhea was above 350,000 last year, representing a 5% increase over 2013. Additionally, the most contagious forms of syphilis had more than 20,000 reported cases in 2014, a 15% increase over 2013. Health experts believe that the increase in the number of reported syphilis cases was the result of increased sexual activities involving gay and bisexual men.
Most of the reported infections of gonorrhea and chlamydia involved people in the 15 to 24 age bracket. Indeed, young people are becoming increasingly vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases.
Both gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause infertility in women. However, they can both be treated with simple antibiotics. Since these diseases often have no symptoms, yearly screening is recommended for women that are sexually active.
Recently, the World Health Organization reported that more than half of the world has some form of herpes.
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