One in five people had a sexually transmitted disease (STD) in 2018, the CDC estimates, adding that the number continued to climb through the pandemic in 2020 and into 2021.

Its latest report shows syphilis rates increasing nearly 32% with congenital syphilis cases also growing by what it describes as an alarming 32%, resulting in 220 stillbirths and infant deaths.

Gonorrhea and chlamydia cases grew about 4% in 2021, but the CDC is concerned that chlamydia reports are still being impacted by the disruption in screening since the pandemic because chlamydia is often asymptomatic.

The agency notes that more than half of all STDs in 2020 were among adolescents and young adults age 15-24. Part of the reason could be that younger people are not always aware of the risks of contracting an STI. One study found, for example, that young people are often unaware that oral sex can lead to STDs including herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV).

As part of STD Awareness Month, we’ve collected some of the Journal articles that we’ve published that can help you in testing, diagnosing and treating your patients, as well as their partners. We’ve also included the most recent guidelines.

Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of Mycoplasma genitalium

Highlights of Updated Recommendations in the 2021 CDC Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines

Implementation of patient-delivered expedited partner therapy for Chlamydia trachomatis in an urban youth clinic

CDC recommendations for providing quality STD clinical services

Current practices and perspectives of women’s health providers on STI treatment of sexual partners

Position Statement: Male Sexual and Reproductive Health: Role of Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners

PrEP for women: An update for healthcare providers

Challenges of testing for genital herpes

Identification and treatment of non-genital STIs