HIV and Syphilis: Rising Rates for Men Who Have Sex with Men

After years of decline, sexually transmitted infections are increasing at alarming rates. The national rate of reported primary and secondary syphilis was over four times greater in 2016 than it had been in 2000. Syphilis cases increased by 18% between 2015 and 2016 alone. Much of this growth is attributable to cases among men who have sex with men. Between 2017 and 2013, the number of new syphilis cases among MSM grew annually (75%). MSM now account for half of all syphilis cases and 80% of these cases among men.