RALEIGH, N.C. ( WNCN ) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released their annual sexually transmitted infections surveillance report for 2022 — the most recent year with complete data — and it shows an alarming spike in one type of infection nationwide.
Although the rate for chlamydia has remained relatively unchanged and the rate for gonorrhea has decreased overall in the U.S. since 2021, the rates for syphilis and congenital syphilis have jumped up significantly, leading the CDC to note that the “syphilis epidemic is worsening.”
In 2021, a total of 173,858 syphilis cases were reported. That increased to 203,500 reported cases in 2022 — an increase of 17%.
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Syphilis, a bacterial infection, often first shows up as sores. If left untreated, it can progress to cause rashes, fever, weight loss, fatigue and other symptoms. In some cases, it can cause severe neurological issues. Syphilis can be latent in your system for years, but once identified it is curable by antibiotics.