Cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise in the U.S., with a record 2.5 million total cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in 2021, according to Centers for Disease Control data.
The CDC’s report on STI rates in the U.S. in 2021, released this month, found that rates of all three STIs have been steadily increasing, with syphilis cases specifically jumping 26% in one year. In a Monday speech at the biannual STD Prevention Conference, Dr. Leandro Mena, director of the CDC’s Division of STD Prevention, said that “It is imperative that we… work to rebuild, innovate, and expand [STI] prevention in the U.S.,” per the Associated Press. David Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors, additionally referred to the situation as being “out of control.”
Data also found that men who have sex with men are being disproportionately affected by syphilis, which has reached its highest rate since 1991, per the Associated Press. Syphilis is characterized by a painless sore or multiple sores at the location where the infection entered your body, followed by a secondary stage that may include rash, fever, sore throat, headaches, and several other symptoms.
While chlamydia cases fell from 2019 to 2020, they’re on the rise now, with a 3.1% increase from 2020 to 2021. Women are the most affected by chlamydia cases. Symptoms can include abnormal vaginal or penile discharge, a burning sensation when peeing, and rectal pain.
Gonorrhea cases increased 2.8% from 2020 to 2021, with men being disproportionately affected. Symptoms are similar to chlamydia, and can additionally include painful bowel movements, anal itching, and discharge.
Overall, case rates of all three STIs rose by 4.4% in one year. Even so, these figures are likely an undercount, since not everyone who has an STI will get tested, or even experience symptoms. Thankfully, all three are treatable, but all also carry the potential for serious health repercussions if left untreated.
The AP also reported that HIV case rates were up 16% last year, but a May memo from Demetre C. Daskalakis, the CDC’s Director for the Division of HIV Prevention, stated that HIV data from 2020 was unreliable due to the pandemic disrupting testing services. The case rate in 2020 was 17% lower than in 2019, but Daskalakis notes that this was likely an undercount.
