Cases of sexually transmitted diseases are going up around the nation and in Michigan. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Lynn Sutfin tells WSJM News the particular problems are syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, which reached an all-time high in the United States in 2018. So why the increases?
“Many times, individuals don’t realize they have an STD and they are able to spread it without receiving treatment,” Sutfin said. “Perhaps there’s an increased number of partners, and not practicing safe sex practices such as consistently and correctly using condoms. Another theory that has been discussed a little bit is perhaps the prevalence of some of these dating apps.”
Sutfin says some of those apps enable people to meet up quickly. The state health department says in Michigan, gonorrhea cases dropped nearly by half from 2008 to 2014, but have climbed 70% since then, including a 10% jump last year. Reports of syphilis had dropped following an outbreak in 2013 but jumped 36% in 2018. Sutfin says those who are the most affected include adolescents, African American men, and women and men who have sex with men. To learn about getting tested, contact your local health department. You can find more information on sexually transmitted diseases and treatment right here.
