the alarming rise in STD rates in the US
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning about the sharp increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States. According to the latest statistics, there has been a rise in cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis for the past few years. The situation has become so dire that the CDC has called for urgent action to address the epidemic. This article will discuss the reasons behind this alarming trend and what measures can be taken to counter the rise of STDs in the country.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that the number of cases of the drug-resistant fungus Candida auris is continuing to climb at an “alarming” rate in healthcare facilities across the US. The CDC published new data in the Annals of Internal Medicine that showed an increase in cases of 95% from 756 in 2020 to 1,471 in 2021, with at least another 2,377 cases already counted for 2022. Candida auris is a type of yeast that often causes no symptoms in healthy people but poses a serious threat to patients already weakened by other conditions, triggering serious and invasive complications as it spreads into the body’s systems. Many cases have affected patients in hospitals and nursing homes. One in three patients with invasive infections die, and the fungus has been ranked as among the worst fungal threats facing public health today. Nearly all tested samples of Candida auris are resistant to at least one of the classes of antifungal treatments. The report marks the latest reminder of the growing threat posed by a range of drug-resistant pathogens.
While it is tricky to measure the exact impact the pandemic has had on this trend, investigations by the CDC found some connections. For instance, a CDC report investigated a 2020 outbreak in a COVID wing in a Florida hospital after admission screening and some precautions were suspended during the pandemic. Hospitals and nursing homes have ways of combating the spread of Candida auris, including screening for cases and taking special steps to isolate infected patients; however, some infections are deemed “pan-resistant” and resistant to all available medications. Therefore, there is a need for increased attention to be placed on preventing transmission.
CDC epidemiologist Dr. Meghan Lyman, who led the report, highlights that the ability of laboratories to detect and diagnose cases has improved over the years, as well as knowledge of strategies to curb transmission between patients. “For some of these places, not ever seeing a case again may not be realistic. But there’s still a lot that can be done to prevent the spread,” she said. The report emphasizes the need for urgent intervention, research, and investment to combat the drug-resistant fungal infections that continue to take the lives of countless people each year.
the second wave of COVID-19
As the world continues to grapple with the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that we take heed of the warnings being sounded by public health experts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a stern caution about the possibility of a second wave of infections, which could prove just as deadly as the first. To mitigate the risks, it is crucial that we continue to maintain social distancing measures, observe hygiene protocols, and closely monitor our own health status. We must remain vigilant and work together to curb the spread of this deadly virus. It is only through collective action that we can protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities from the second wave of COVID-19.
