STD rates in U.S. climbing at scary pace

CDC report says highest number of cases ever were reported in 2017

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released some upsetting information this week.

The agency reported that rates of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia have climbed for the fourth consecutive year in the United States, with nearly 2.3 million cases diagnosed in 2017.

According to the CDC, that’s the highest number ever reported in the nation, breaking the 2016 record by more than 200,000 cases.

The CDC released the information at the National STD Prevention Conference in Washington, and noted that the data is preliminary. But the implications aren’t good. Among its findings, the CDC reported:

• Gonorrhea diagnoses are up 67 percent overall, and nearly doubled among men

• Primary and secondary syphilis diagnoses increased 76 percent

• Chlamydia is the most common condition reported to the CDC, with more than 1.7 million cases diagnosed in 2017 (45 percent were in females ages 15-24).

Also raising concerns are the threat of antibioticresistant strains emerging. Gonorrhea, for example, has become resistant to every class of antibiotics except one, ceftriaxone. What happens when that line of attack fails?

If left untreated, STDs can cause a host of problems, from infertility to ectopic pregnancy to long-term pelvic/abdominal pain, or in the case of syphilis, sores, rashes, fever, weight loss, fatigue, and damage to internal organs – all of which would be awful.

The CDC points out that there are a “range of factors” that can contribute to the increases, “including socioeconomic factors like poverty, stigma, and discrimination; and drug use.”

What’s so frustrating about all of this information is the simple fact that it is not hard to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

According to the CDC, “the only way to avoid STDs is to not have vaginal, anal or oral sex.” But the reality is, people are going to have sex. The key is to use latex condoms, and to protect yourself, every single time.

However, there can be barriers to protection, such as affordability. Programs that provide free or reduced cost condoms to at-risk groups can help mitigate some of that.

Be aware, Yuma, and don’t become a statistic. STDs are spreading at alarming rates, so take steps to protect yourself.

There should be a law against homeless people having animals or dogs. I have lived here for 40 years and every year in the summer it breaks my heart to watch the homeless people dragging around a poor dog on the hot pavement. I have called many times to animal control and they say as long as they have food and water, there isn’t much they can do. I don’t agree, we can do something. These people cannot even take care of themselves, so they sit on a corner and beg for food and money. How is this not animal cruelty when they drag along a poor animal who can’t speak for itself? Talk to someone. Call someone. Make it a law.