Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Vegas Outbreak Makes Nevada Syphilis Rate Highest In US West

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Mar, 2016 11:49 AM
    LAS VEGAS — Nevada is experiencing the highest rate of syphilis in the Western U.S. following an outbreak in Las Vegas.
    It's part of a national spike in cases tied to increased testing, a rise in anonymous sex via social media and less consistent use of condoms, health officials say.
     
    Social media's link to syphilis among gay men, which account for a majority of diagnosed cases, has led health officials to take their educational outreach directly to the websites and apps, in some cases creating profiles or buying advertisements.
     
    Here's a closer look at what's going on:
     
    ___
     
    WHAT IS SYPHILIS?
     
    Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that's been around at least since the Roman times, said ?Dr. Tony Fredrick, the Southern Nevada Health District's medical epidemiologist.
     
    It's never really gone away — it just comes in waves. It's detected by blood testing, which means it's not a part of the "bundle" of STDs found through urine screening.
     
    Caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, syphilis spreads through skin-to-skin sexual contact when there's a sore or lesion, typically in the genital or anal areas or mouth.
     
    Symptoms aren't always apparent and can progress for years, even decades, without treatment. In early stages, it's highly treatable with penicillin.
     
    ___
     
    WHAT'S GOING ON IN NEVADA?
     
    Clark County health officials declared an outbreak in Las Vegas last week after noting a 128 per cent increase in reported syphilis cases since 2012 — with 615 of the 694 cases involving men diagnosed last year. This makes Nevada's rate of syphilis the highest in the Western U.S.
     
    There has been an uptick in other parts of Nevada, too, but that could be tied to a population increase, the state health department said. Meanwhile, youth in the state are having sex at younger ages and using condoms inconsistently or improperly.
     
     
     
    WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE COUNTRY?
     
    Syphilis outbreaks have appeared in pockets of the U.S. in recent years, including in Kansas, Pennsylvania and Hawaii.
     
    The latest available data, from 2014, showed a 15 per cent increase in cases overall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. A majority of cases involve men having sex with men.
     
    There's been an increase in other STDs. The most common, chlamydia, has risen to record levels.
     
    ___
     
    WHY ARE DOCTORS BLAMING SOCIAL MEDIA?
     
    Health providers and officials have warned about the prevalence of anonymous sex through social media, particularly with an increase in the use of smartphone apps.
     
    Young people dependent on their iPhones can find quick, easy access to hookups, said Elizabeth Adelman, a senior disease investigator for the health department in Las Vegas. Not meeting in person first can make it harder to negotiate condom use, she said.
     
    ___
     
    WHAT'S BEING DONE TO ADDRESS IT?
     
    Las Vegas officials have been working to connect with various websites and apps. Adelman said they sought permission for a passive presence on platforms such as the gay website Adam4Adam, so users can reach out to them for information. Other popular apps that officials are looking at include Tinder and Grindr.
     
    Adam4Adam said through Twitter that it has live health counsellors and tips available on its website, and it counts some health agencies among its advertisers, including the New York state health department. Tinder and Grindr couldn't be reached for comment.
     
     
    HOW IS THE GAY COMMUNITY RESPONDING?
     
    The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada said the issue has been on its radar. Educational outreach, efforts to de-stigmatize STDs and a push for testing are priorities, said Vince Collins, the centre's HIV prevention services manager.

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    Highrise Residents Who Have Cardiac Arrest Have Lower Survival Rates: Study

    Highrise Residents Who Have Cardiac Arrest Have Lower Survival Rates: Study
    Residents on higher floors who have a cardiac arrest have a far lower survival rate than those on lower floors, likely because it takes longer for paramedics to reach the patient and begin resuscitation efforts.

    Highrise Residents Who Have Cardiac Arrest Have Lower Survival Rates: Study

    HEALTHBEAT: Complex Issue Of When To Stop Mammograms

    WASHINGTON — Lost in the arguing over whether women should begin mammograms at age 40 or 50 or somewhere in between is the issue they'll all eventually face: when to stop.

    HEALTHBEAT: Complex Issue Of When To Stop Mammograms

    This Spray May Help Men Turn Women On!

    This Spray May Help Men Turn Women On!
    Researchers from the University of Bonn in Germany showed that women who inhaled it found their partners 15 percent more attractive

    This Spray May Help Men Turn Women On!

    Mosquito-Borne Virus Now In Mexico, Other Sun Spots May Pose Pregnancy Risk: Study

    Mosquito-Borne Virus Now In Mexico, Other Sun Spots May Pose Pregnancy Risk: Study
    Already at epidemic levels in the South American country, locally acquired cases of the Zika virus have been reported in Mexico as well as the Caribbean islands of Puerto Rico and Martinique.

    Mosquito-Borne Virus Now In Mexico, Other Sun Spots May Pose Pregnancy Risk: Study

    Successful Pilot Sparks Expanded Running Program For Smokers Trying To Butt Out

    Successful Pilot Sparks Expanded Running Program For Smokers Trying To Butt Out
    Jennifer Jeaurond had tried everything to kick her 23-year tobacco habit: hypnotherapy, the nicotine patch, a craving-reduction medication and even electronic cigarettes. Nothing worked.

    Successful Pilot Sparks Expanded Running Program For Smokers Trying To Butt Out

    Most People Who Hit The Gym Have Sex On Their Minds: Survey

    Most People Who Hit The Gym Have Sex On Their Minds: Survey
    The findings showed that about 25 percent of participants admitted to having had sex at their gyms at some point during their membership.

    Most People Who Hit The Gym Have Sex On Their Minds: Survey