Syphilis on the Rise Among Gay, Bisexual Men: CDC

[KaraBulut]

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_149984.html

TUESDAY, Dec. 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The number of cases of syphilis in the United States jumped 10 percent from 2012 to 2013, with gay and bisexual men accounting for 75 percent of the increase, U.S health officials reported Tuesday.

Rates of another sexually transmitted disease -- chlamydia -- fell for the first time in 30 years, with more than 1.4 million reported cases in 2013. This represented a 1.5 percent decrease from 2012, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"There are over 20 million cases of sexually transmitted diseases [STDs] every year in the United States, and they continue to pose a risk of lifelong complications for millions of Americans," said Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention.

According to the report, 17,357 cases of syphilis were reported in 2013 -- a rate of 5.5 per 100,000 people.

There are a variety of reasons that put gay and bisexual men at high risk for syphilis, said Mermin.

"Some are the high number of sexual partners and sexual networks that create a vicious cycle where the prevalence of syphilis is higher. And that leads to higher incidence, which leads to higher prevalence, and that cycle can increase the frequency of infection," he said.

Dr. Jill Rabin, co-chief of the division of ambulatory care in the Women's Health Programs-PCAP Services at North Shore-LIJ Health System in New Hyde Park, N.Y., called the increase in syphilis cases "very alarming."

"Syphilis is like the canary in the coal mine for HIV," the virus that causes AIDS, she said. "People are going to be positive for syphilis before they are diagnosed with HIV. This means that there is a potential increase in HIV cases."

 

[Harke the Boeotarch]

Had syphilis already. Next stop Aidsdeath?

 

[Telstra]

"gay and bisexual men accounting for 75 percent of the increase"

I was wondering what are the % of Syphilis in gay/bi men compared to straight men ?
If the % is high in gay/bi, well then, we are the filthier groups then.

 

[KaraBulut]

Had syphilis already. Next stop Aidsdeath?

The population studied was MSM in the United States. You'd have to review studies for the Netherlands to determine what the next stop would be.

"gay and bisexual men accounting for 75 percent of the increase"

I was wondering what are the % of Syphilis in gay/bi men compared to straight men ?
If the % is high in gay/bi, well then, we are the filthier groups then.

"Filth" wasn't evaluated in the report. These were also cases reported to the CDC. Quite a few cases are not reported by private physicians, so the actual numbers are probably higher.

In 2013, based on data reported as of April 28, 2014, the rate of reported primary and secondary syphilis in the United States was 5.3 cases per 100,000 population, more than double the lowest-ever rate of 2.1 in 2000. To characterize the recent epidemiology of syphilis in the United States, CDC analyzed data from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) for cases of primary and secondary syphilis diagnosed during 2005–2013 with a focus on states that reported the sex of sex partners during 2009–2012 to describe reported syphilis among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (collectively referred to as MSM). During 2005–2013, primary and secondary syphilis rates increased among men of all ages and races/ethnicities across all regions of the United States. Recent years have shown an accelerated increase in the number of cases, with the largest increases occurring among MSM.
Primary and secondary syphilis rates increased among men of all ages and races/ethnicities during 2005–2013, from 5.1 cases per 100,000 population in 2005 to 9.8 in 2013, when men accounted for 91.1% of all cases reported in the United States. Although rates remain highest among black men (28.1), recent increases were greatest among Hispanic and white men. Currently, syphilis is predominantly an MSM epidemic. (Source)

 

[Telstra]

That graph does not make sense
because it doesn't say the %, or number of cases per number of population.
Oh sorry, the link show more information.

 

[RaKroma]

Bad timing of report when Gay Inc was in middle of lobbying FDA to lift ban on gay blood donors with no restrictions.

 

[KaraBulut]

Bad timing of report when Gay Inc was in middle of lobbying FDA to lift ban on gay blood donors with no restrictions.

The timing is not good, although donated blood is tested for syphilis. Last week the FDA did relax the policy to allow MSM to donate blood if they have not been sexually active for 1 year. The policy change will probably not change anything since MSM who were donating in spite of their sexual history will continue to answering that they have not had sex with men on the pre-donation questionnaire.

The studies of HIV transmission rates in the US for the past 4 years have not been encouraging. Every HIV study the CDC and NIH have published since 2010 has shown no decrease in HIV transmission rates in the US among MSM. MSM account for about 63% of new HIV diagnoses. Minority and urban MSM were disproportionately affected. [Source].

This was from a study in 2011:

In all but two states, the majority of new HIV diagnoses were among MSM in 2011. Unprotected anal sex at least once in the past 12 months increased from 48% in 2005 to 57% in 2011 (p<0.001). The percentage engaging in unprotected discordant anal sex was 13% in 2008 and 2011. In 2011, 33% of HIV-positive but unaware MSM reported unprotected discordant anal sex. Among MSM with negative or unknown HIV status, 67% had an HIV test in the past 12 months. Among those tested recently, the percentage HIV-positive but unaware of their infection was 4%, 5%, and 7% among those tested in the past ≤3, 4–6, and 7–12 months, respectively. Expanded efforts are needed to reduce HIV risk behaviors and to promote at least annual HIV testing among MSM. [Source]

It takes about 2-3 years for surveillance results to be published. The physician's comment about "the canary in the coal mine" hints that she anticipates that new HIV infections will probably begin to rise, too.

 

[cocksucker4use]

Had syphillis at some point in time, but didn't know it. Fast forward, had a rash, liver and lung infection, in the hospital 4 days and turned out I had secondary syph without ever realizing I'd had primary syph.....It's important to get tested and treated for STD's. Also, to go to a competent health provider who can diagnose and treat you.