Syphilis Rate Continues To Rise

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the national rate of syphilis infection rose 12% from 2006 to 2007. There were 11,181 syphilis cases in 2007. The rate is six times higher among men than women. And, just looking at men, it's six times higher among black men than white men.

But, the good news is that the number of syphilis cases in San Francisco actually dropped in 2007. There were 202 cases there in 2007, compared to 243 in 2006.

If anyone wants an example of hyperbole, check out the WebMD report on this subject. While everyone else reports a "rise" in syphilis cases, WebMD says it "skyrockets." On top of that, it's a "raging epidemic." One would like to think of WebMD as the on-line equivalent of good ol' gray-haired family doctors who give you reliable information in a level voice. But in this article WebMD sounds like a raging Republican from a southern state. "The raging epidemic is skyrocketing! Drink peroxide! Bath yourself in a solution of chlorine bleach and ascorbic acid! Blame it on Islam!"