Syphilis cases rose in Ohio and nationwide during COVID pandemic

Rates of sexually transmitted diseases are reaching all-time highs in Ohio and across the nation, prompting concern from health experts.

In preliminary 2021 data released by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both gonorrhea and syphilis continued to grow in numbers over the pandemic, with the rate of syphilis reaching its highest in three decades at 51.5 cases per 100,000 people. Rates were steadily increasing for years, but COVID-19 worsened the situation.

Before the pandemic, Ohio saw around 16 to 17 cases of syphilis per 100,000 people from 2017 to 2019, or about 1,900 to 2,000 cases total each year. Preliminary numbers for 2021 indicate at least 2,939 cases total, first reported by the Ohio Capital Journal.

"The rate of sexually transmitted diseases has been rising nationally, and Ohio is no different," said Ken Gordon, spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Health. "ODH continues to provide funding, education, guidance, programming and resources to local efforts and providers in terms of disease investigation, treatment, contact tracing and education."

Syphilis numbers are rising in Ohio

In central Ohio, Columbus Public Health has been running a messaging campaign in an effort to get more people tested. It's used more alarming language, such as calling the rise in syphilis a "crisis."

"It's a crisis because of the number of cases we have," said Dr. Mysheika Roberts, health commissioner for Columbus Public Health. "If you're out there having sex, particularly unprotected sex, you should be concerned."

Syphilis has more than doubled in Franklin County and surrounding counties, from 613 cases the year before the pandemic to 1,447 syphilis cases last year, said Roberts. The number of women with syphilis tripled in that same time frame, too, with 376 last year.

"We've seen more women of childbearing age with syphilis, and they haven't been treated. And as a result of that, their babies are born with congenital syphilis," said the health commissioner. "These are innocent individuals, that it could have been prevented if the pregnant woman got... screened for syphilis."

Sexually transmitted diseases: Gonorrhea and syphilis cases spiking in Canton

The Ohio Department of Health in its latest infant mortality report was troubled by the rise of congenital syphilis in the state. Cases increased from 13 in 2016 to 32 in 2020, which was "especially concerning." Preliminary 2021 data showed 49 congenital syphilis cases in Ohio, with five of them stillbirths. Ohio requires syphilis testing at the first prenatal visits.

Other parts of the state have also seen an increase in sexually transmitted diseases. Before the pandemic, Summit County's syphilis case count remained below 100 and actually decreased to 54 in 2019, but in 2020, it shot up to 104 cases, according to state data. Last year it rose further to 192 cases, according to Summit County Public Health. Canton City Public Health saw a similar trend with STDs; gonorrhea cases went from 538 in 2019 to 782 in 2020.

Hamilton County and surrounding counties had 330 syphilis cases in 2021, which is actually down from pre-pandemic levels. But with gonorrhea, the first year of the pandemic saw more than 4,000 cases in Hamilton County when years prior hovered around 2,000 to 3,000. The 2021 numbers have since dropped back down to 3,352.

How COVID-19 affected STDs

The COVID-19 pandemic at its height really put a dent on access to STD testing, experts said, as asymptomatic people stayed home to avoid the coronavirus and health care resources became stretched. At the same time, a 2021 study noted 26% of single people reported more sex during the pandemic, while those in relationships were higher: 46% reported more sex.

Behaviors associated with more risky sexual activity were also exacerbated by the economic and social stresses from COVID-19, such as substance abuse or domestic violence, said Roberts. Despite seeing more people coming to get tested as COVID-19 recedes, it's not an improvement from pre-pandemic levels.

Sexually transmitted diseases: Even in the first year of the pandemic, STD rates continued to climb in the US, CDC says

"Just because the pandemic has come to a different stage, doesn't mean those behaviors are just going to automatically snap your fingers and they're going to be gone," she said. "Those are long-standing issues that people will have to address, and it takes time."

When should you get STD tested?

Women who are under 25 years old, or have new or multiple sex partners should get tested every year for gonorrhea and chlamydia, according to CDC guidelines. Men who have sex with men should be tested for syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea at least once a year, or every three to six months if they have multiple partners. The CDC recommends men who have sex with men be screened for HIV at least once a year.

The agency urges everyone who is pregnant be screened for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C starting early in pregnancy.

'Something needs to change': As STD rates rise, doctors sound alarm on messaging

How often you should be screened for sexually transmitted infections also depends on your sexual practices, such as type of sexual contact and condom use, said Dr. Michael Angarone, an infectious diseases specialist at Northwestern Medicine.

Sexually active individuals with multiple partners per year, Angarone said, should talk to their primary providers about getting screened for STIs every six months or every year. And you should get screened if a partner tells you they've tested positive for an STI.

How can you prevent STDs?

Condoms play an important role in preventing sexually transmitted diseases. The CDC recommends using condoms.

Minimizing the number of sexual partners or being in a monogamous relationship can decrease your risk for STIs as well. Having open conversations with sexual partners and medical providers about STIs is crucial in reducing the risk of getting infected.

For subscribers: Yes, even monogamous couples should consider STD testing. Here's why.

"The general public knowing that those numbers have gone up and knowing that we need to be more aware of it, I think should help people get tested, treated, and then hopefully, kind of get those numbers to go back down," Angarone said.

Jordan Mendoza and Amanda Pintado of USA TODAY contributed.

Titus Wu is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Syphilis, other STDs increased in Ohio since COVID-19 pandemic