DES MOINES, Iowa — Cases of syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease spread by a bacteria, have been on the rise over the past few years in Iowa.
This aligns with what's trending nationally, as syphilis cases have increased by nearly 80% between 2018 and 2022, a new CDC data report illustrates.
In 2018, state data show 283 cases reported in Iowa. Just four years later, in 2022, 877 Iowans had new cases of syphilis, which is a 300% increase from four years prior.
"It affects young people, older people, men, women," said Melissa Brown, a public health investigator for Polk County. "It really doesn't matter who your sex partners are: if you're sexually active, you're at risk for contracting the infection."
Brown said cases have increased over the past few years because "people don't consider themselves at risk," or they don't get testing done.
Other infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia declined in 2022 compared to years prior, data shows.
However, public health officials say there's no real indication why other infections are trending downwards in cases while syphilis is increasing in cases.
"Syphilis doesn't go away, it just continues to do damage to your body," Brown said.
Historically, syphilis has been considered a disease primarily affecting men who have sex with other men. Now, however, public health officials say STIs impact all demographics.
If you are sexually active, Brown recommends getting screened and treated yearly.