Sexually transmitted diseases in the US are showing signs of slowing down after years of alarming increases. Factors such as declining condom use, inadequate sex education, and reduced testing and treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic are believed to have contributed to the rise in cases in recent years. However, new data shows a substantial decline in cases of syphilis and gonorrhoea, with syphilis cases falling 10% and gonorrhoea cases dropping 7%. This marks the first significant decline in more than two decades and is seen as a positive sign by experts.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) expressed optimism about the declining rates of sexually transmitted infections in the US. More than 2.4 million cases of syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia were reported last year, with chlamydia being the most common. Syphilis, in particular, has been a concern, with cases rising in recent years, especially among men who have sex with other men. New cases of syphilis in their early stages dropped 13% among this group, but cases of unknown or later-stage syphilis increased by 12%.
Experts attribute some of the improvements in STD trends to the growing use of an antibiotic as a “morning-after pill” to reduce the risk of developing syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia. The CDC now recommends doxycycline as a morning-after pill specifically for gay and bisexual men and transgender women who have recently been diagnosed with an STD. The introduction of this practice, along with increased testing, contact tracing, and treatment efforts, may have contributed to the declining rates of STDs in the US.
While the US is seeing a decrease in cases of sexually transmitted infections, authorities in Europe have raised concerns about a surge in these diseases. In 2022, gonorrhoea cases in Europe rose by 48%, syphilis cases by 34%, and chlamydia cases by 16% compared to the previous year. Gonorrhoea cases reached the highest annual number in a decade, with over 70,800 reported cases. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) emphasized the need for governments to focus on testing, treatment, and prevention efforts to address the rise in infections.
It is clear that the impact of sexually transmitted diseases is a global issue, with both the US and Europe facing challenges in managing and controlling these infections. While there have been positive developments, such as declines in syphilis and gonorrhoea cases in the US, there is still work to be done to address the rise in infections in Europe. Continued efforts in testing, treatment, prevention, and education are essential to combat the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and protect public health.
