U.S. Syphilis
Rates on the Rise

The rate of syphilis in the United States has risen for the seventh consecutive year, increasing 12% in 2007 over the previous year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday.

Gay and bisexual men accounted for 64% of the total cases last year. The CDC is concerned about the surge of syphilis diagnoses because syphilis can increase a person's risk of being infected with the AIDS virus as well as the odds of giving the virus to someone else. "Syphilis can increase the likelihood of HIV transmission two- to fivefold," CDC epidemiologist Hillard Weinstock said in the release.

Sexually transmitted disease and AIDS prevention experts at the CDC highly encourage safer-sex practices as well as getting tested annually. (The Advocate)