Last year the United States report decreases in cases for three of major sexually transmitted infections (STIs): chlamydia, gonorrhea, and primary/secondary syphilis. The total number of these infections dropped for the third straight year, according to the CDC. This is a welcome trend in the right direction after years of increasing cases earlier in the decade. Health professionals caution that we have more work to do as STIs are still up 13% compared to a decade ago. Over 2 million American reported STIs last year.
While primary/secondary syphilis has diminished, the other type of syphilis – congenital syphilis – has skyrocketed. Congenital syphilis, which is passed on to the baby during pregnancy, increased by 1.6% in 2024, and surged by 81% since 2020.
“The continued rise in congenital syphilis is a distressing indication that we are not doing enough to protect pregnant women and newborns,” said Elizabeth Finley, interim executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors.
Full Story: The Associated Press
