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STD epidemic is sweeping the US with cases of chlamydia reaching 'record levels' - while gonorrhea and syphilis are also on the rise
- CDC report warns of STD epidemic rising across the United States
- Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis all increased for first time in 9 years
- Total of 1.4 million chlamydia cases - highest number of annual cases of any condition ever reported to the CDC
- Experts call for better diagnosis, treatment and prevention to stem rise
A
sexually transmitted diseases epidemic is sweeping the US, with cases on
the rise as chlamydia infections reaches 'record levels', experts have
warned.
Cases
of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis have all increased for the first
time since 2006, according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC).
Chlamydia
cases had dipped in 2013, but last year's total of more than 1.4
million — or 456 cases per 100,000 — was the highest number of annual
cases of any condition ever reported to the CDC.
The chlamydia rate was up almost three per cent from 2013, new figures revealed.
'America's
worsening STD epidemic is a clear call for better diagnosis, treatment,
and prevention,' said the CDC's Dr Jonathan Mermin.
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A sexually transmitted diseases
epidemic is sweeping the US, with rising rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea
and syphilis. The map shows the rate of cases of chlamydia in each state
in 2014, per 100,000 of the population, with Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana and Alaska among those with the highest number of cases
Chlamydia cases reached their highest
ever levels recorded, for both men and women in 2014, with 1.4 million
cases in total across the US
Experts
have pointed the finger at dating apps, including Tinder, Happn and
Grindr, warning they could trigger an 'explosion' in rates of sexually
transmitted diseases.
In
May this year, The Rhode Island Department of Health revealed from 2013
to 2014, cases of syphilis rose by 79 per cent, gonorrhea by 30 per
cent and HIV by almost 33 per cent.
And
in September this year, The AIDS Healthcare Foundation launched a new
billboard campaign in Los Angeles, drawing users' attention to the risk
of catching chlamydia and gonorrhea during casual sex among young
adults.
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The charity said a rise in STDs corresponds with the growing popularity of dating or 'hookup' mobile phone apps.
Whitney
Engeran-Cordova, senior director, Public Health Division for AHF: said:
'Mobile dating apps are rapidly altering the sexual landscape by making
casual sex as easily available as ordering a pizza.'
However, a CDC spokesman told Daily Mail Online: 'There is no single answer to explain why STDs are increasing this year.
These are complex diseases that can be impacted by a number of factors.'
He
said increased STD screening, including more extragenital screening,
may be increasing detection of chlamydia and gonorrhea infections,
especially in men.
The spokesman added: 'We don't have any evidence showing a link between STDs and dating apps.
'Having
anonymous partners though, can make it difficult to offer partner
services, like expediated partner therapy, or conduct contact tracing
for syphilis to interrupt the cycle of transmission.'
The
CDC report revealed gonorrhea cases totaled 350,062, up five per cent
from 2013, and the most contagious forms of syphilis jumped 15 per cent
to 20,000 cases.
As in previous years, the increase in syphilis was largely among gay and bisexual men.
Syphilis among these groups has been increasing since at least 2000.
In
2014, rates of syphilis increased among men who have sex with men, who
account for 83 per cent of reported cases among men when the sex of the
partner is known.
Also
concerning is that more than half of men who have sex with men (51 per
cent) diagnosed with syphilis in 2014 were also HIV-positive.
Infection with syphilis can cause sores on the genitals, which make it easier to transmit and acquire HIV.
The CDC report revealed gonorrhea
cases totaled 350,062, up five per cent from 2013, and the most
contagious forms of syphilis jumped 15 per cent to 20,000 cases. The map
reveals the rate of gonorrhea per 100,000 of the population in each
state, revealing Louisiana and Mississippi had the highest rates of the
STD
The majority of gonorrhea (pictured
under the microscope) cases were in young people, aged 15 to 24. The
infection can cause infertility in women, but can be treated with
antibiotics, the CDC said
Most gonorrhea and chlamydia infections were in 15- to 24-year-olds, an ongoing trend.
Both can cause infertility in women but can be treated with antibiotics.
They
often have no symptoms, and while yearly screening is recommended for
sexually active women younger than 25, many don't get tested and
infections go untreated, the CDC said.
America's worsening STD epidemic is a clear call for better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
Dr Jonathan Mermin, CDC
Dr
Mermin said: 'STDs affect people in all walks of life, particularly
young women and men, but these data suggest an increasing burden among
gay and bisexual men.'
The 2014 data also reveals young people are still at the highest risk of acquiring an STD, especially chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Despite
being a relatively small portion of the sexually active population,
young people between the ages of 15 and 24 accounted for the highest
rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea in 2014 and almost two thirds of all
reported cases.
Additionally,
previous estimates suggest that young people in this age group acquire
half of the estimated 20 million new STDs diagnosed each year.
Despite
recommendations from the CDC and the United States Preventive Services
Task Force (USPSTF) for annual chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for
sexually active women younger than 25, experts believe far too many
young people are not tested, and therefore do not know they are
infected.
Gail
Bolan, director of the CDC's division of STD prevention, said: 'The
consequences of STDs are especially severe for young people.
The most contagious forms of syphilis
jumped 15 per cent to 20,000 cases. The map reveals the rates of cases
of syphilis by state, with Washington DC, Louisiana, Georgia and Nevada
reporting the most cases
The CDC said gay, bisexual and other
men who have sex with men, are at greatest risk of contracting syphilis.
The graph reveals how, since 2007, while the rates of syphilis among
women and men who have sex with women, have remained relatively low,
rates for men who have sex with men, the red line, have soared
'Because
chlamydia and gonorrhea often have no symptoms, many infections go
undiagnosed and this can lead to lifelong repercussions for a woman's
reproductive health, including pelvic inflammatory disease and
infertility.'
Preventing STDs in young people is a key priority, the CDC said.
Among
their efforts, the CDC encourage the use of expediated partner therapy,
where the sexual partners of anyone diagnosed with chlamydia or
gonorrhea are offered treatment without medical exam, where legally
permissible.
However, the CDC said key to reducing STDs is Americans taking steps to protect themselves.
Sexually active individuals are encouraged to undergo regular testing and treatment where necessary.
The
CDC also advises 'using condoms consistently and correctly, and
limiting the number of sex partners' as effective strategies for
reducing the risk of infection.
Sexually
transmitted diseases are among more than 70 diseases that are
reportable to the CDC, including measles, chickenpox and tuberculosis.
Flu is reported differently, by hospitalizations.
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