STDs on the Rise in San Diego -- How the Resurgence Happened

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published May 14, 2007 at 8:30 PM PDT

This story was published more than 16 years ago.

Sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in San Diego County. We'll talk with the county's STD control officer about why we are seeing more gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia cases, and what peop

Sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in San Diego County. We'll talk with the county's STD control officer about why we are seeing more gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia cases, and what people need to do to protect themselves.

In 1997, there were only 23 new cases of syphilis reported in the county. Nearly a decade later, that's increased ten fold, to 234 cases. It's easily cured with antibiotics, but syphilis, if left untreated, can have serious complications.

Additionally, the rate of gonorrhea --which in 1997 had just over 1,500 cases reported -- last year nearly doubled at over 2,700 cases reported.

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The rate of chlamydia? From 6,300 in 1997 to nearly 12,000 now.

What has this happened?

Guest

Dr. Robert Gunn , STD control officer, San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.

(For more information on testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, call San Diego County STD Services at 692-8550.)