Syphilis cases on the rise in the ranks Have you heard?

2015-10-20T09:18:16-04:00

Syphilis cases are rising among active-duty troops — to the tune of a 41 percent increase since 2010, according to a new Pentagon report.

In the past month alone, the Navy saw nine new cases, as many as the sea service's diagnoses of Lyme disease, salmonella and giardia combined.

Syphilis is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease that, if left untreated, can cause blindness, dementia and paralysis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the disease was "on the verge of elimination" in the U.S. at the turn of the century. But it has rebounded with a vengeance, particularly among gay males, the CDC found.

As with civilians, the military population has been affected: from January 2010 to August 2015, 2,976 troops were diagnosed with syphilis, according to the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center.

And the rate of new cases rose by more than 50 percent over that time frame, from just under 31 per 100,000 service members to 47 per 100,000.

Most cases were diagnosed in the early stages, when symptoms included painless sores, rash, sore throat and fever. But 244 cases were considered to be in the advanced stage, when the microorganism can invade bodily organs.

The majority of the cases — 92 percent over the time period — were males.

In the general civilian population, Hispanic and white men have been among the most affected groups, seeing the largest increases in diagnoses in the past 15 years.

In the military population, white males also have seen large increases in new diagnoses, but the black male population remains the hardest-hit group, with high incident rates and 451 cases reported from 2010 to 2015.

Despite the increases, diagnoses within the military remain relatively infrequent compared with other sexually transmitted diseases.

Human papillomavirus infections are the most common sexually transmitted diseases reported in the military health system, followed by chlamydia, herpes simplex and gonorrhea.

HIV-1 infections also occur among U.S. troops; from January 2010 through June 2015, a total of 1,248 active-duty troops were diagnosed with HIV-1, 98 percent of them male.

AFHSC researchers added that while they can't definitively explain the rise in cases, the problem may stem from fewer troops taking safe-sex precautions, and possibly more using the Internet for hookups, or turning to "harm reduction strategies" such as oral sex that lessen the likelihood of passing along HIV but increase the risk of transmission for other diseases.

According to the authors, DoD should "develop and implement syphilis prevention measures targeting troops at risk for contracting" syphilis, and continue an aggressive "partner notification program."

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/10/19/syphilis-cases-rise-ranks/73917872/

Syphilis cases on the rise in the ranks

Syphilis cases are rising among active-duty troops; they are up 41 percent since 2010, according to a new Pentagon report.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Oct 20 at 2015 9:23 AM

2015-10-20T09:23:48-04:00

First I've Heard that this was making a comeback!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 9:31 AM

2015-10-20T09:31:12-04:00

PO1 John Miller Thanks for sharing this info. It should be shared far and wide. Maybe also put it in the categories of health, veterans, families, news and events as well. Thanks again.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Oct 20 at 2015 9:46 AM

2015-10-20T09:46:00-04:00

1. Open and honest communication.
2. Use of condoms.
3. Judgement free treatment.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 9:50 AM

2015-10-20T09:50:51-04:00

That just mean a lot more "active" members in the service... I guess education ...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 10:30 AM

2015-10-20T10:30:24-04:00

That would certainly explain some of the decisions the military is making these days...

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Oct 20 at 2015 12:09 PM

2015-10-20T12:09:11-04:00

Glad I'm retired... ;)

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 20 at 2015 12:10 PM

2015-10-20T12:10:40-04:00

Anyone reading the context of the article, can see why the increases within the military. Rather that starting another hostile thread, I will leave it up to the reader to decide.

Response by SPC Neil Hood made Oct 20 at 2015 12:31 PM

2015-10-20T12:31:56-04:00

FYI: The state of Georgia has the highest incidence of new cases of Syphilis in the nation.

Fair warning to those stationed at Fort Stewart, Fort Benning and Fort Gordon.

Also, syphilis is asymptomatic in the grand majority of female patients and doesn't present until in in stage 2 many times.

Practice safe sex please.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Oct 20 at 2015 2:01 PM

2015-10-20T14:01:26-04:00

Because the composition of our military is simply a reflection of our increasingly promiscuous society?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 2:32 PM

2015-10-20T14:32:08-04:00

Had a string of male soldiers all from the same battalion Come in to be seen for a nice trio cocktale of STIs all around the same rank, about 7 of them. I also had 2 females come in the same week period, same battalion, same rank. I got to tell them all (individually) they made a new life long friend. That will come and go but always be with them. As well as 2 that are easily sent away. I never found out the whole story/truth/ or its just a crazy ass coincidence, but we all know what happened.

Moral of the story is as long as soldiers will live, work, and play in very close proximity to one another. Soldier will undertake extra carricular activeities with one another. The army needs (obviously keep it banned opposed to openly allow it in a COC otherwise we just asking for even more workplace issues) but the army also needs to do a little better of a job preparing for the inevitable.

Most TMC/BAS offer free condoms guys and gals. Utilize them.