From Ethan: Syphilis On the Rise

Most people who hear about the STD syphilis think of an antiquated disease that is not very prevalent in today’s society. However, according to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention cases of the disease seem to be on the rise especially in the gay community. Syphilis may increase risk of HIV infection and health officials are taking action to warn about the community about the resurgence of the disease.

In Maricopa County, Arizona the sexually transmitted disease has been on the rise for the past few years and has caused some national concern. The Arizona department of Public Health reported a steady increase of the STD in gay men and last year the number of reported cases in homosexuals actually topped the cases reported by heterosexuals.

The disease is caused by bacteria and can be contracted through sex or skin to skin contact so the CDC is strongly urging people engaged in sex to engage in safe sex practices. There have been countless studies, which have shown that those infected with Syphilis have a far greater chance of contracting HIV. They call for public health efforts to treat infected patients as soon as possible, in order to reduce the spread of both syphilis and HIV. Some signs of the disease are painless sores on the infected area.

Sigma Phi Beta is a gay friendly fraternity on the ASU campus and they have had several presentations on safe sex practices to insure that their members as well as the campus as a whole are well informed about sexually transmitted diseases.

For more information about Syphilis and Syphilis prevention please visit: http://pediatrics.about.com/od/stds/a/04_syphilis.htm