It comes as a surprise that a majority of Americans are in the dark about the symptoms, treatments, and prevention of various sexually transmitted diseases. That’s the sad reality, given that only 54% of Americans know that Syphilis, one of the most prevalent STIs, is curable. In an era when information is readily available at the click of a button, it is also surprising that 16% of the population believe there is a vaccine while 45% are unsure.
The lack of knowledge is yet again worrying, given that a majority of the population cannot recognize the signs and symptoms of Syphilis. Given that less than 30% of the population can diagnose the condition due to round and painless sores, it calls for more education. Additionally, only 28% of the population can recognize Syphilis dues to swollen lymph nodes, 27% due to fever, and 16% due to weight loss.
Amid the rising cases of Syphilis across the US, it is encouraging to note that a majority, 78%, know that they can protect themselves by simply abstaining. In comparison, 77% believe the use of condoms helps a lot. It’s also encouraging that 70% of the population knows that wearing a diaphragm or the use of vaccines are ineffective methods of preventing sexually transmitted diseases.
While there is a lot of work that needs to be done to prevent the spread of Syphilis, it appears a majority of the population are well informed about HIV. It’s the fact that 95% of the population knows HIV is spread through unprotected sex and 90% through the sharing of needles that continues to excite advocates. However, lots of work needs to be done to educate the population that HIV can be spread through breastfeeding, given that only one in three people know about the same.
Additionally, there is a need to make it known and advise people on the curability and availability of vaccines for various sexually transmitted diseases. A significant portion of the population is unsure about the existence of vaccines for gonorrhea, HIV, Syphilis, and Genital Herpes.
As the number of sexually transmitted diseases keeps increasing, the general public must learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options. By being more knowledgeable and educated, people can make the right choices to safeguard their health and partners against this potentially harmful disease.