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The problem is getting worse, because STD rates have skyrocketed in the U.S. within the last couple of years. It’s unfortunate news that, for the first time since 2006, rates have gone up for all three of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among American teenagers and adults.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that the numbers have increased drastically overall. While it’s difficult to tell exactly why, the facts remain the same that between 2003 and 2014, there has been a rise among people who practice unsafe sex. This is the case among the three most common STDs in the United States, specifically chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
Chlamydia is the most common
According to the CDC, there has been a 2.8% increase in chlamydia in the last decade. In fact, the numbers reached up to a whopping 1.44 million cases per year, which meant up to 456.1 cases per 100,000 people in the country. It has officially become the most common STD in the United States, though it’s fortunately treatable, and even curable.
Gonorrhea, on the other hand, has seen an even bigger increase of 5.1% since 2003. This totals up to number to over 350,000 cases per year, or 110.7 cases per 100,000 people. Most of the rise in rates has been placed on the shoulder of men since 2009. Until then, the numbers have mostly fluctuated, going up and down. However, for the past six years, there has been a distinct upsurge.
Both chlamydia and gonorrhea are fortunately very treatable, and do not pose as great life-threatening risks if they’re not left untreated. However, the problem is that they do not often arrive with symptoms. That is why most of the cases occur in young people, between 15 to 29 years old. It’s also the reason why the CDC believes the numbers might even be higher. Many cases of both STDs can go by without even knowing.
Without proper screening, the patient might not be aware they’re carrying a sexually transmitted disease.
Syphilis is fastest on the rise
Syphilis has essentially surged up in numbers, seeing a whopping increase of 15.1% since 2003. There are around 20,000 cases reported per year, which amounts to 6.3 cases per 100,000 people, but it’s also the most dangerous of the three common STDs. Their numbers have seen a rise within the past decade, yet seemed to have reached an all time high in 2014.
It may lead to blindness, or several other complications if it’s left untreated. Men, often including gay or bisexual males, have been deemed as the main cause of the increase, with around 83% of the cases.
The situation has grown far worse, and may cause severe health issues. For one, there are a number of 20,000 cases of infertility in women caused by STDs. Yet, the numbers have been rising in spite of the availability of purchasing condoms and screenings.
However, since there are better treatments for diseases like HIV, it appears that most do not view them as life-threatening anymore. That leads to better reasons of not being scared of getting an STDs, and makes them respond to condom burnout by forgoing protection altogether.
Image source: lumieremagazine.com
