Newswise — COLUMBUS, Ohio – Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise in the U.S., including an 80% increase in syphilis over a five-year period, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A new national survey by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds many Americans have misconceptions on how STIs are spread and who should be treated. The national poll of 1,005 people found over a third of Americans (34%) falsely believe STIs can only be transmitted through sexual intercourse. In reality, there are many ways STIs can spread such as by kissing or sharing needles and even during childbirth.
The survey also found that one in five Americans (20%) believe they only need to be tested for STIs if they’re experiencing symptoms. “We’re likely still experiencing some of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic when STI prevention services were completely shut down. A lot of STIs were undiagnosed and under-reported then, allowing these infections to spread within the population.
The CDC’s latest surveillance data from 2022 showed an alarming increase in cases of syphilis and congenital syphilis,” said Jose A. Bazan, DO , a professor of clinical internal medicine with the Division of Infectious Diseases at Ohio State. Congenital syphilis occurs when people pass syphilis to their babies during pregnancy, sometimes resulting in stillbirths or other life-threatening conditions.
U.S. cases of congenital syphilis increased 180% from 201.
