STD Trends: Chlamydia, Syphilis Rising

CDC Reports Rising Rates of Reported Cases of Chlamydia and Syphilis; Gonorrhea Rates Stable

By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Health News

Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD

Jan. 13, 2009 -- Chlamydia and syphilis are on the rise and gonorrhea is holding steady, according to the CDC's latest report on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

The report focuses on cases of chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea that were reported to the CDC in 2007.

During 2007, the CDC got reports of 1.1 million cases of sexually transmitted chlamydia, making it "the largest number of cases ever reported to the CDC for any condition," states the report.

How common was chlamydia? In 2007, there were about 370 reported cases per 100,000 people, a 7.5% increase compared to the 2006 rate, according to the CDC. The CDC also notes that chlamydia rates have been rising since the late 1980s, partly because of increased screening.

Syphilis rates are also increasing. In 2007, the CDC got reports of 11,466 cases of sexually transmitted syphilis, an increase of 15% from 2006. The CDC also got 430 cases of babies born with syphilis, compared to 382 reported cases in 2006.

Nationwide, rates of reported gonorrhea cases were stable in 2007, the CDC's report shows. Rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were all higher among women than men.

SOURCES: CDC, Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2007. News release, CDC.

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