What is causing the dramatic rise in syphilis among Houston women, babies - Medical Minute, Idolina

The Houston Health Department reported a syphilis outbreak responsible for a 128 percent increase in cases among women and a nine-fold rise in congenital syphilis in Houston and Harris County.

[nmdakini]

When I married in 1972 we had to have a syphilis test before a license was issued. Maybe this wasn’t a bad idea.

[naiiago]

The fact that infants are being affected by this is breaking my heart.

[GhostSal]

All STDs are skyrocketing all over the country… So can we now admit this hook up culture isn’t a good idea?

[brotherbruns]

As a single man, this makes me glad people call me a prude for not hooking up with anyone for 15+ years.

[MissMe]

You don’t have to be promiscuous to contract syphilis. My ex HUSBAND gave me syphilis while I was pregnant. He secretly got treated and left me and our baby to rot! I went 5 months infected, had SEVERE pain, mouth/pallet ulcers, ended up with cholestasis, gestational diabetes, and spent time in the ICU, all because my body was fighting too hard while infected. Did I mention I spent a total of 93 days hospitalized?!

My son was born with it and didn’t have to be! He has speech, hearing and some intellectual challenges all because of my (now) ex husband’s selfishness!

[evastephan]

30 years ago there used to be quite a high attention to "safe sex" as long as everyone was terrified of catching AIDS and it surely resulted also in less promiscuity and more responsible behaviour among partners. Since HIV infections have become a manageable disease the campaigning for safer sex has stopped, the general behaviour has become more negligent and people seem to be completely unaware that AIDS isn't the only dreadful STD.

[vulgar_scabby_beaver]

I have been completely asexual since my wife died 6 years ago. I don't worry about such things.

[misstweed]

It’s the casual sex culture out there. I first noticed it among the young people on social media, but it’s the older people as well. It literally looks like the norm out there and they have no shame about it. I’m surprised it’s just syphilis.

[JJ-uiph]

If you see high spike in a syphilis is women, you should see a comparable spike in cases in men. So either one of two things are happening here. Either A, The men are going undiagnosed. Or B, These women are sleeping with the same guys. I would check to see if they had Tinder accounts and have people in common.

[dennishadley]

Following the end of the First World War, a lot of returning veterans who had leave ( R&R ) contact with local sex workers winParis, unknowingly contracted syphilis . They returned home, started families, and passed the virus to their wives and unfortunately to their children as well. I worked with people who had congenital syphilis at a state institution in Ca. They tended to suffer with blindness as well as intellectual disabilities .

[sharonbender]

I went to a free clinic when i was first pregnant with my son. My ex was with me during one visit. A nutse recognized him. He had come in a yesr before for an std test. He bever returned. Turned out he had syphilis. I did not although they coukd not understand why. I still got the painful penicillin shots though. My Son was unaffected. I do have a very strong immune system even now at age 58.

[DianaPrince]

Being single is a blessing. Health is wealth. Get tested, get treated and use protection.

[manichairdo]

When people will not accept responsibility for their own health safety and for others. It's 2023. Ignorance is not bliss.
All STD's are still out there including HIV.

[matulich]

Keep living your truth people and keep thinking it wont happen to you. Sleeping around, practicing no self control or safety is the problem.

[kenyonbissett]

When I was pregnant in 1990, my doctor required testing for syphilis (all STI) even in monogamous couples

[janschild]

It’s so important to get an STI/STD screening with your annual physical, if you’re s*xually active . You never know.

[donotsupportterroristgroups]

I feel sorry for the children born with this disease due to their parents promiscuity.😢

[TheRealdal]

I worked in a state prison for 6 years. We would get 1 or 2 syphilis cases a year, now we get 20 a month or more. But I don’t live in Texas. And these are prisoners coming into the system. People are very promiscuous and almost none use protection or condoms. The prisoners admit how many partners they have been with recently and sometimes it’s more than even they can remember. Drug use and pornography play a big part in today’s promiscuity.

[rickintexas]

This is easy to answer. The rise is due to lack of morals in our society. It’s pretty simple, but the Dr. completely ignored the obvious cause.

[williamclark]

You can contract an STI the first time you have sex so it isn't always about promiscuity. Not everyone getting it is being loose. A lot of gay men are on prep so that they don't have to use a condom which only prevents HIV not the other STI's. I think thats insane to be so cavalier about other infections and only be concerned about HIV. This is a prime example of why its better to wear a condom.