Monday, March 12, 2012

Syphilis Abounds! Sexually Transmitted Infections in the USA

Just the other day I was called for a consult on a patient with a genital ulcer. The patient was admitted for an unrelated, elective surgery, however, an attentive surgeon noticed the abnormality and gave me a ring.The final diagnosis was primary syphilis. Not unusual. 


Syphilis abounds! Primary and Secondary Syphilis—Rates by State, United States and Outlying Areas, 2010

Source : CDC
I was reminded, however, about how unsuspecting people are of the ongoing dangers of sexually transmitted infections. HIV and other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia, are by no means a vestige of the past. Chlamydia and syphilis are on the rise.


For an informative pictorial summary of the major sexually transmitted infections in the USA click here.


PS: the abstinence only sexual education strategy does not appear to be working.