LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that combined cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia reached an all-time high in the United States in 2018.
According to 2018 state-level STD data, Michigan is experiencing similar trends as cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis all increased last year.
As a result, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is urging regular testing among sexually active individuals to help stop the spread of these sexually transmitted diseases.
“Many infected people are unaware of their status which allows them to unknowingly pass it to their partners,” MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said. “All sexually active individuals should speak to their health care provider about regular testing so they can get proper treatment and prevent the spread of disease.”
In Michigan, reports of chlamydia increased to just over 51,000 in 2018. Gonorrhea cases have seen a 10 percent jump in 2018 to 16,922 cases. Reports of syphilis came in at 654 cases.
The state says most of these increases are being seen in adolescents, African-American men and women and men who have sex with men.
Undiagnosed and untreated syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia can lead to severe adverse health effects that include infertility, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth in infants and increased HIV risk. Screening and prompt treatment are critical to protect a person’s health and prevent transmission to others.
MDHHS has established STD specialty care centers to increase service options in select areas.
Additionally, efforts to build community awareness and provide technical assistance to medical providers have increased. These initiatives focus on priority populations such as women of childbearing age and adolescents, as well as Michigan’s most vulnerable residents.
More information can be found online by visiting Michigan.gov/hivstd.
The news comes as a rare strain of gonorrhea has been discovered in Kalamazoo.
