Health
As syphilis cases surge in the US, here’s what infectious disease experts want you to know
Syphilis is surging in the U.S., reaching the highest numbers in nearly 75 years.
Cases of the sexually transmitted disease (STD) rose 10% in 2022, reaching 203,500. The numbers have increased 68% since 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Dr. Jarod Fox, an infectious disease specialist with Orlando Health, said there’s an “alarming trend” in STDs in general, and specifically syphilis, over the past decade.
TEXAS CITY REPORTS SYPHILIS OUTBREAK AMID ‘LIMITED SUPPLY’ OF PENICILLIN DRUG
Fox News Digital talked to experts about potential reasons behind the spread, who’s at risk — and how to combat the infection.
Experts discussed the potential reasons behind the spread of syphilis, who’s at risk — and how to combat the infection. (iStock)
What’s behind the surge?
Dr. Bryan Dechairo, CEO of Sherlock Biosciences, a diagnostic testing provider in Massachusetts, calls the recent surge in syphilis cases a “multifaceted public health issue” that reflects “broader systemic challenges.”
“Most importantly, there are currently not enough people getting tested and there is insufficient access to testing, particularly among populations most at risk,” he told Fox News Digital.
WHY ANTIBIOTICS MAY NOT HELP PATIENTS SURVIVE THEIR VIRAL INFECTIONS: NEW RESEARCH
“Without newer, more accessible, accurate tests, people do not know they have an STI and are, therefore, more likely to transmit it to other individuals.”
Dechairo also named a decline in protected sex, particularly among younger people, as a factor in the increase.
“This trend is partly attributed to the success in HIV prevention and treatment, leading to a perception of reduced risk for sexually transmitted infections,” he said.
“Without newer, more accessible, accurate tests, people do not know they have an STI and are, therefore, more likely to transmit it to other individuals,” an expert told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
Also contributing to the spike is the reduction in sexual health services and professionals, according to Dechairo.
“This, combined with broader social and economic inequalities, has created a perfect storm for the resurgence of syphilis, particularly affecting marginalized communities,” he said.
“There are currently not enough people getting tested and there is insufficient access to testing.”
Fox of Orlando Health added that the rise in illicit drug use in the U.S. has also led to more risky sexual encounters and thus a higher risk of STIs.
“There has also been a rise in dating apps, and this makes it easier to expand an individual’s sexual network, making it easier for STIs to have a wider spread,” he told Fox News Digital.
Who is most at risk?
Most cases of syphilis affect men who have sex with men (MSM), according to the CDC.
Certain racial and ethnic groups are also at a higher risk, Dechairo said.
ANTIBIOTIC DOXYCYCLINE CAN BE MORNING-AFTER PILL FOR HIGH-RISK PATIENTS AFTER UNPROTECTED SEX, CDC SUGGESTS
“Black Americans and Native American/Alaska Natives, for instance, show higher rates of infection, likely due to systemic inequities in health care access,” he said.
To reduce infections among men who have sex with men, Dechairo emphasized the need for targeted public health interventions and education.
Symptoms and treatment
Syphilis can cause painless genital ulcers and enlarged inguinal lymph nodes in the early stages, on average three weeks after exposure, Fox noted.
These spontaneously heal in three to six weeks.
“These early symptoms can be missed and lead to delayed diagnosis,” he warned.
A rash on the palms and soles may develop after the initial ulcers have healed, said Fox. The infection can also have neurologic and vision-related effects.
This 1966 microscope photo made available by the CDC shows a tissue sample with the presence of numerous, corkscrew-shaped, darkly stained, Treponema pallidum spirochetes, the bacterium responsible for syphilis. (CDC)
The primary treatment for syphilis is intramuscular penicillin injections, with the number of injections based on whether it is an acute infection or late infection, Fox noted.
“There have been intermittent shortages of the penicillin, and so other treatments such as doxycycline may be used in some cases,” he said.
“Early symptoms can be missed and lead to delayed diagnosis.”
If left untreated, syphilis can progress through various stages with escalating severity, Dechairo warned.
“Initially, it may present as a painless sore, but without treatment, it can lead to severe health complications,” he said.
TRANS CHILDREN WHO TOOK PUBERTY-BLOCKING DRUGS HAD MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, UK STUDY FOUND
“In its later stages, syphilis can cause damage to major organs, neurological issues, blindness and even death.”
In cases of congenital syphilis, the infection can also be passed from mother to child — which can result in miscarriage, stillbirth or severe birth defects, said Dechairo.
What needs to be done?
To reverse the upward trend in syphilis cases, Dechairo calls for a “comprehensive approach.”
Increased access to new types of testing — including home testing — is critical to slowing the spread of not only syphilis, but also all STDs, he said.
This is particularly important because people with one type of infection are more likely to have another concurrent infection.
Experts called for establishing more clinics and training more health care professionals to treat syphilis patients. (iStock)
“This is part of a broader sexual health education effort to promote safe sex practices and regular screenings, improve access to health care — especially in underserved areas — and increase public awareness to destigmatize STIs,” he told Fox News Digital.
The expert also called for establishing more clinics and training more health care professionals.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“Additionally, targeted interventions focusing on high-risk groups and communities with high infection rates are essential,” Dechairo added.
This would include prenatal care to help prevent cases of congenital syphilis, he said.
Said Fox, “More public health funding is needed to better take care of the minority communities that have been disproportionately affected by syphilis as well as other diseases.”
And Dechario noted, “Through these multifaceted efforts, the rising tide of syphilis infections can be curbed, improving public health outcomes for all communities.”
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Feeling lonely may take a toll on older adults’ memory — but it may not speed up cognitive decline, according to a new study.
Researchers from Colombia, Spain and Sweden analyzed data from more than 10,000 adults ages 65 to 94 across 12 European countries and found those who reported higher levels of loneliness did worse on memory tests at the start of the study, according to research published this month in the journal Aging & Mental Health.
Over a seven-year period, however, memory decline occurred at a similar rate regardless of how lonely participants felt.
GRANDPARENTS WHO BABYSIT THEIR GRANDCHILDREN STAY MENTALLY SHARPER, NEW STUDY REVEALS
“The finding that loneliness significantly impacted memory, but not the speed of decline in memory over time was a surprising outcome,” lead author Dr. Luis Carlos Venegas-Sanabria of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Universidad del Rosario said in a statement.
Loneliness may be linked to memory performance in older adults, a new study suggests. (iStock)
“It suggests that loneliness may play a more prominent role in the initial state of memory than in its progressive decline,” Venegas-Sanabria said, adding that the findings highlight the importance of addressing loneliness as a factor in cognitive performance.
The findings add to debate about whether loneliness contributes to dementia risk. While loneliness and social isolation are often considered risk factors for cognitive decline, research results have been mixed.
EXPERTS REVEAL HIDDEN LINK BETWEEN POOR SLEEP AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE RISK
The study looked at data from the long-running Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), which tracked 10,217 older adults between 2012 and 2019. Participants were asked to recall words immediately and after a delay to measure memory performance.
Social isolation and loneliness could play a surprising role in cognitive health among seniors. (iStock)
Loneliness was assessed using three questions about how often participants felt isolated, left out or lacking companionship.
About 8% of participants reported high levels of loneliness at the outset. That group tended to be older, more likely to be female and more likely to have conditions such as depression.
DEMENTIA RISK SIGNALS COULD LIE IN SIMPLE BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS, SAY RESEARCHERS
Researchers found that those with higher loneliness had lower scores on both immediate and delayed memory tests at baseline. Still, all groups — regardless of loneliness level — experienced similar declines in memory over time.
The results suggest loneliness may not directly accelerate the progression of memory loss, though it remains linked to poorer cognitive performance overall.
Researchers look at a brain scan at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
Experts warn, however, that the findings should not be interpreted to mean loneliness is harmless.
“The finding that lonely older adults start with worse memory but don’t decline faster is actually the most interesting part of the paper, and I think it’s easy to misread,” said Jordan Weiss, Ph.D., a scientific advisor and aging expert at Assisted Living Magazine and a professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
“It likely means loneliness does its damage earlier in life, well before people show up in a study like this at 65-plus,” Weiss told Fox News Digital.
By older age, long-term social patterns may already be established, making it harder to detect when the effects of loneliness first took hold, an aging expert says. (iStock)
He suggested that by older age, long-term social patterns may already be established, making it harder to detect when the effects of loneliness first took hold.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
“By the time you’re measuring someone in their late 60s, decades of social connection patterns are already baked in,” he said.
Weiss, who was not involved in the research, added that loneliness may coincide with other health conditions, and noted that participants who felt more isolated also had higher rates of depression, high-blood pressure and diabetes. The link, he said, may reflect a cluster of health risks rather than a direct cause.
“While they can go hand-in-hand, it’s not clear that loneliness contributes to dementia,” a psychotherapist says. (iStock)
Amy Morin, a Florida-based psychotherapist and author, said the findings reflect a broader pattern in research on loneliness and brain health, and that the relationship may be more complex than it appears.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“The evidence shows there’s a link between loneliness and cognitive decline but there’s no direct evidence of a cause and effect relationship,” she said. “So while they can go hand-in-hand, it’s not clear that loneliness contributes to dementia.”
Morin added that loneliness, which can fluctuate, may not be the root of the problem, but rather a symptom of other underlying mental or physical health issues.
Researchers suggested screening for loneliness be incorporated into routine cognitive assessments as one way to support healthy aging. (iStock)
She said staying socially and mentally engaged is crucial for overall brain health.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
“It’s important to be proactive about social activities,” Morin said. “Joining a book club, having coffee with a friend, or attending faith-based services can be a powerful way to maintain connections in older age.”
The researchers also suggested screening for loneliness be incorporated into routine cognitive assessments as one way to support healthy aging.
Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.
Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.
Use escape to exit the menu.
Sign Up
Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.
Already have an account? Login
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Research continues to uncover new details on how fasting may help extend life.
A new study published in the journal Nature Communications investigated how intermittent fasting can boost longevity in small worms often used in aging research.
Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas compared worms that were fed normally to those that underwent a 24-hour fast in early adulthood and were then fed again, according to a press release.
POPULAR INTERMITTENT FASTING DIETS MAY NOT DELIVER THE HEALTH BENEFITS MANY EXPECT
The scientists measured a variety of factors, including stored fat, gene activity related to fat metabolism and lifespan.
The results showed that the life-boosting benefit did not depend on the fasting itself but on the body’s behavior after eating again.
Experts say sustainability is key when choosing a long-term weight-loss strategy. (iStock)
Study lead Peter Douglas, associate professor of molecular biology and a member of the Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine at UT Southwestern, suggested that these discoveries “shift the focus toward a neglected side of the metabolic coin – the re-feeding phase.”
“Our data suggest that the health-promoting effects of intermittent fasting are not merely a product of the fast itself, but are dependent on how the metabolic machinery recalibrates during the subsequent transition back to a fed state,” he said.
PEOPLE LOST WEIGHT WHILE EATING SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FOOD — HERE’S THE SECRET
“Our findings bridge a gap between lipid metabolism and aging research,” he added. “By targeting aging, the single greatest risk factor for human disease, we move beyond treating isolated conditions toward a preventive model of medicine that enhances quality of life for all individuals.”
Lauri Wright, director of nutrition programs at the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health, called this a “high-quality” study that adds an “important nuance to how we think about fasting and longevity.”
Intermittent fasting typically involves limiting meals to an eight-hour daily window or fasting every other day. (iStock)
The benefits of the refeeding phase after fasting were “especially interesting,” Wright, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
“The researchers showed that longevity was linked to the body’s ability to turn off fat breakdown after fasting, allowing cells to restore energy balance,” she reiterated.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“From a scientific standpoint, that’s a meaningful shift because it suggests fasting is not just about burning fat, but about metabolic flexibility.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Fasting may support longevity through triggering metabolic switching, enhancing cellular repair and stress resistance and improving markers like insulin sensitivity, research shows.
Limitations and cautions
Although this study provides “important insight” on the power of refeeding, Wright noted that the findings should be approached with caution, as the study was done on worms and cannot always be translated to humans.
“Additionally, it explains how a process might work in a controlled lab condition rather than real-world eating behaviors,” she added as a limitation. “Finally, the study is short-term and doesn’t give us the long-term translation on lifespan outcomes.”
The review found intermittent fasting was barely more effective than doing nothing, according to the study authors. (iStock)
Wright cautioned that fasting is “not a magic solution for longevity, and how you eat overall matters more than when you eat.”
“I advise, first and foremost, to focus on diet quality, including a variety of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and minimally processed foods,” she said.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
For those who are considering fasting, it’s better to stick with a moderate plan — like a 12- to 14-hour overnight fast — rather than going to extremes, Wright said. After fasting, she recommends focusing on well-balanced meals.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Several groups of people should be cautioned against fasting, according to Wright, including those with diabetes who are on insulin or hypoglycemic medications, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, anyone with a history of eating disorders and older adults at risk of malnutrition.
Anyone considering intermittent fasting should consult with a doctor before starting.
-
Detroit, MI1 hour agoGame 21: Tigers at Red Sox, Garrett Crochet battles both Detroit and the weather
-
San Francisco, CA1 hour agoWhy do gray whales keep dying in San Francisco’s waters?
-
Dallas, TX1 hour agoDallas Mavericks Owners Might Be Making Big Mistake in Search for New GM
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoDefense dominates, Mensah flashes in Miami’s spring game – The Miami Hurricane
-
Boston, MA2 hours ago
A crowd scientist is helping the Boston Marathon manage a growing field of 30,000-plus runners
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoDenver Nuggets Altitude broadcasts now being offered in Spanish for first time ever
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoNeed to shred? Free drive-up/ride-up shredding Wednesday at Village Green West Seattle
-
San Diego, CA2 hours agoGame 21: San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Angels
