The following breaking news is disconcerting and sobering—to say the least.  According to Poz.com, the renowned health, life and HIV media outlet, the rate of primary and secondary syphilis in the U.S. is steadily climbing–with MSM (men who have sex with men) driving a 10 percent increase between 2012 and 2013.   “All told, the rates of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia are all rising among men while either remaining stable or dropping among women.”  These stats are included in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) annual report entitled Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance. 

     Poz.com continues, “The CDC estimates that the United States sees almost 20 million cases of STDS each year, with half of them among young people ages 15 to 24.  The price tag?  Nearly $16 billion in health care costs. 

     “Since STDs are often not reported to the CDC, the figures of STDs do not paint a full portrait of the various nationwide epidemics.  They can, however, give a sense of the rate of change in new infections.” 

     In 2013, there were 17,375 reported cases of primary and secondary syphilis—a rate of 5.5 per 100,000 persons.  This translates into a 10 percent increase compared to 2012–and represents the largest jump since 1985. 

     According to Poz.com. “The increase was driven entirely by MSM, who accounted for about three quarters of the total number of cases in 2013.  An estimated half of MSM with syphilis are HIV positive.” 

     The media outlet added, “This is of particular significance considering that syphilis can increase the likelihood of both transmitting and contracting HIV.” 

    Therefore, my advice to you:  always wrap it up—and securely–before “gittin’ yo’ groove thang on.”