New national STD statistics were released by the Centers for Disease Control for 2012.
Syphilis is most prevalent among gay and bisexual men.
“Trend data show that men who have sex with men account for three quarters (75 percent) of all primary and secondary syphilis cases,” according to the CDC report. “Primary and secondary syphilis are the most infectious stages of the disease, and if not adequately treated, can lead to visual impairment and stroke.”
2012 data:
Gonorrhea
· Cases reported in 2012: 334,826
· Rate per 100,000 people: 107.5; 4.1 percent increase since 2011
Syphilis (primary and secondary)
· Cases reported in 2012: 15,667
· Rate per 100,000 people: 5.0; 11.1 percent increase since 2011; the rate increase was solely among men, particularly gay and bisexual men
Syphilis (congenital)
· Cases reported in 2012: 322
· Rate per 100,000 live births: 7.8; 10 percent decrease since 2011
Chlamydia
· Cases reported in 2012: 1,422,976
· Rate per 100,000 people: 456.7; overall stable (increase of 0.7 percent) since 2011
