The Bo Show

DR. AC: SYPHILIS RATES INCREASE IN GAY MEN

(Audio and Comment Below)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report a record high number of syphilis cases being diagnosed among gay men. It was found that those patients who have the STD, 65% of them are men who sleep with men.

Doctors are particularly concerned about the increase in syphilis, because it can play a role in spreading HIV infection. The BO Show’s resident Doctor, Dr. AC of the Callan-Lorde Community Health Center in New York City, says “The behaviors people usually engage in, in order to get syphilis are the same activities people practice in order to get HIV.”

Dr. AC also says a main concern behind syphilis is, many of those infected don’t even know they have the disease because many of the early symptoms disappear on their own. He says, “The first stage of primary syphilis is the presentation of the chancre, a painless ulcer… it will eventually just go away by itself even if you didn’t seek treatment.” This is concerning since the disease will continue to progress through three other stages, eventually leading to serious health conditions including blindness, brain damage and even death.

In this episode of The BO Show, Dr. AC describes what syphilis is, why so many gay men are being infected, how you can tell if you’ve been infected and what your very first step should be to cure the disease.

Dr. AC’s Medical Center: Callen-Lorde.org