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. 2022 Aug:80:104239.
doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104239. Epub 2022 Jul 31.

Rise of syphilis surge amidst COVID-19 pandemic in the USA: A neglected concern

Abubakar Nazir  1 , Waniyah Masood  2 , Shahzaib Ahmad  1 , Anagha M Nair  3 , Abdullahi Tunde Aborode  4 , Hadin Darain Khan  5 , Shahzaib Farid  1 , Muhammad Asad Raza  1   6   7 , Kholis Abduachim Audah  8
Affiliations

Rise of syphilis surge amidst COVID-19 pandemic in the USA: A neglected concern

Abubakar Nazir et al. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2022 Aug.

Abstract

Introduction: Syphilis is a treatable but highly contagious sexually transmitted disease (STI) that has a long history of infecting millions of people from diverse ethnicities and is mainly considered promiscuity. An uprise in syphilis cases is noted in the Coronavirus pandemic. This short communication discerns salient factors precipitating the syphilis upsurge, implications, current efforts, and recommendations.

Discussion: A decrease in funds and investments for public health clinics during COVID-19 because the funds have been diverted for treating COVID-19 has resulted in a dramatic rise in syphilis. The main determinants of the increased spread of syphilis during the COVID-19 pandemic include unsafe sexual activities, reduced STI screening, lack of sufficient staff during the pandemic, and abandoning of STI programs and services.

Recommendations: We recommend high-risk screening clinics and effective telehealth programs to combat against rising STI burden in the US.

Keywords: COVID-19; Outbreak; Pandemic; Surge; Syphilis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicting interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Graphical representation of the number of cases of congenital syphilis reported in the US.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The number of cases of syphilis reported in the US in three consecutive years.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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