There is an under-reported epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases in Oklahoma – including a 36.5-percent increase in syphilis cases.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reports there were 31,779 cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis diagnosed in 2017, an increase from 29,716 reported in 2016. The most significant increase was found in the number of syphilis cases with an increase of 36.5 percent in one year.

Reports indicate an increase of nearly 20 percent in the number of gonorrhea cases. Cases of chlamydia increased as well with a total of 21,752 cases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released preliminary data indicating an increase of more than 200,000 cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) reported between 2016 and 2017. Nationally, there are 2.3 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis; Oklahoma’s health officials report the same alarming increase.

Oklahoma joins many states in implementing a program to prevent re-infection of gonorrhea and chlamydia between people. The program was used in the state’s 78 county health department clinics, and eight clinic sites at the OKC-County Health Department and the Tulsa Health Department. Reports indicate 99 percent of patients who received help from that program had no reported re-infections within 30-90 days of the initial treatment.

Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are curable with antibiotics, yet most cases go undiagnosed and untreated — which can lead to severe health effects including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth in infants, and increased HIV risk. Prior studies suggest a range of factors may contribute to STD increases, including socioeconomic factors like poverty, stigma and discrimination; and drug use.

To reduce the spread of STDs, health officials encourage regular testing as part of a person’s regular health care routine. Many cases go untreated because they are undiagnosed.

Under the Obama Administration, the promotion of sexual abstinence as a method of controlling sexually transmitted diseases was virtually abandoned. Sex outside of monogamous marriage, multiple sexual encounters and shared needles for illegal drug use continue to contribute to the epidemic.