Syphilis Cases Are Increasing During Pregnancy
In recent years, the United States has witnessed a troubling increase in syphilis cases, reaching levels unseen since the 1950s. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has responded by recommending more rigorous testing during pregnancy.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It often goes unnoticed due to its subtle symptoms, making it a silent but devastating threat to health.
Laura E. Riley, chair of the obstetrician coalition’s immunization work group, says, "Sometimes, it’s difficult to know that you’ve been exposed to syphilis, and it’s not like you can raise your hand and say, ‘I have this, please give me treatment,’ because you may not even know you have it."
According to the Centers for Disease Control a...