• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Health Conditions / STDs / Is Syphilis Making a Comeback?

Is Syphilis Making a Comeback?

In 2019, the U.S. health departments reported that most syphilis cases were found among men and attributed its factors to men sleeping with men (MSM). The health department revealed the STD has increased more than 70 percent since 2015 and it also reached a historic low in 2000. When the department delved more into the data, the research showed syphilis had vastly risen among heterosexual couples while the MSM numbers have remained stable for the past two years. 

As syphilis cases continued to rise, health department officials began to notice a trend within the black community. The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) reported within the 2018 STD Surveillance Report, the STD infection rates for African Americans was high compared to other populations that it showcased. The report stated “the disparity between Primary & Secondary syphilis rates for blacks and whites was 4.7 times greater for black females compared to white females and 4.8 times greater for black males compared to white males.” 

Sandra Elizabeth Ford, MD, MBA, NACCHO’s Board Vice President stated the “data highlighting the overrepresentation of sexually transmitted diseases in the African-American population is disappointing, but not shocking. Ford said,“More emphasis must be placed on those issues that present barriers to prevention and care of not only STDs but other chronic diseases, such as poverty and lack of insurance, as well as racism. Until we take a hard look at these factors, we will continue to see the broad inequities in disease prevalence that we are currently observing.” 

Even though health disparities exist within the black community, NACCHO Chief of Programs and Services, Oscar Alleyne, DrPH, MP says local health departments work hard to reduce STD rates and to provide the communities with prevention and treatment messaging to address the rapid growing STD cases.

You May Also Like
15 Natural Remedies for Aches and Pains

If you have been diagnosed with syphilis just remember your doctor will order a blood test and determine the syphilis stage of infection by asking you a few questions to make sure the correct antibiotic is prescribed to treat your condition. 

If you are in the early stages, your doctor will give you one shot of penicillin. Treatment within the late stages will require three penicillin shots for three consistent weeks. If syphilis has impacted your nervous system then your physician may provide the penicillin through a IV intravenously once a week for a maximum of two weeks. While you are being treated for syphilis, it is recommended that you do not have sex for at least for a week until after all your symptoms have gone away.

 After you have been treated and cured of syphilis, make sure you follow-up with any appointments with your doctor just in case another blood test is needed to confirm that the syphilis is no longer in your system. 

Most importantly if you have been diagnosed with syphilis please notify your partner(s) so they can get tested and treated to prevent the STD from spreading to others. Also don’t forget to use condoms and/or dental dams to protect yourself from contracting any other sexually transmitted diseases once you start having sex again.

You May Also Like
Bacon and other meats May Increase Your Risk for This Lung Disease

April 23, 2021 by Ly'Nita Carter

Previous pageRead Next Article

The Latest In STDs

Brazilian wax

Wax Off? Brazilian Waxing Linked To Higher STD Risk

Getting a Brazilian wax or participating in similar forms of personal grooming may be all the rage, but they come with a heightened risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease, research suggests. The study found that frequent groomers of pubic read more about Wax Off? Brazilian Waxing Linked To Higher STD Risk

The Most Common STD You’ve Never Heard Of

The sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) most people know and would think of as common is gonorrhea, chlamydia, or even HIV. But there is one sexually transmitted disease that is common, but people never talk about read more about The Most Common STD You’ve Never Heard Of
condom

5 STDs You Can Get While Using A Condom

While condoms can dramatically reduce the risk of getting or transmitting STDs, they can’t guarantee 100% protection from sexually transmitted infections. Here’s how it works: First, a condom must be used correctly to provide protection. When it’s used incorrectly, slippage read more about 5 STDs You Can Get While Using A Condom
Trichomonas

The STD Black Women Don’t Talk About (But Should)

Trichomonas is a protozoan, or a single-celled parasite, that thrives in the moist environment of the vagina. It is an extremely common STD, affecting approximately nearly one out of every 10 women in the U.S. Trichomonas is an extremely contagious read more about The STD Black Women Don’t Talk About (But Should)

HPV: 3 Types Of Women & Men Most At Risk

According to the most recent data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 11 million American men are infected with oral human papillomavirus (HPV), which can lead to cancers of the head, neck and throat. That equates to read more about HPV: 3 Types Of Women & Men Most At Risk
Online Therapy Services

Don’t Ignore This! Longterm Effects of Untreated STDs

When it comes to STDs, the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) offers an alarming statistic - one in five Americans has an STD. That equates to almost 70 million people, nearly half of whom will be between the read more about Don’t Ignore This! Longterm Effects of Untreated STDs

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • Marjorie Harvey: Fit, Fine & 57!Marjorie Harvey: Fit, Fine & 57!
  • LL Cool J & Wife Simone Smith Celebrate 25 Years Married: “We Celebrate Life”LL Cool J & Wife Simone Smith Celebrate 25 Years Married: "We Celebrate Life"
  • Snoop Dogg & Wife: 26 Years And Still Going StrongSnoop Dogg & Wife: 26 Years And Still Going Strong
  • Halle Berry: Over 50 ‘Just Keeps Getting Better With Time’Halle Berry: Over 50 'Just Keeps Getting Better With Time'
  • Queen Latifah Sheds Light on BMI Chart Flaws: “I’m Just Thick”Queen Latifah Sheds Light on BMI Chart Flaws: "I'm Just Thick"

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2022, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.