STIs (Sexually transmitted infections) include all infections that an individual can get infected with through sexual intercourse. These diseases used to be called venereal diseases, and the most common types of STIs include gonorrhea, hepatitis, HIV, Chlamydia, and syphilis. However, there are some other bacterial infections that affect sex organs due to effects of harmful bacteria. These infections such as bacterial vaginosis do not necessarily have to be spread through having sex (CDC, 2014). This paper will consider gonorrhea and congenital syphilis and discuss the age ranges as well as the infection rates for the two infections. The paper will also do some research on why the most infected age ranges are on rising and the state with the highest infection rates.
Congenital syphilis
This is an infection that is usually transmitted from mothers to babies during pregnancy. The impact of congenital syphilis on the baby depends on the length of time the mother has stayed without treatment (CDC, 2014). The major impacts of this infection on the baby include miscarriage, stillbirth, and death after birth. According to CDC data for 2014, the rate of congenital syphilis infection was the highest in the United States where about 40% of babies were born with the infection. Congenital syphilis is common among pregnant women and newborn babies. CDC data indicate that the disease is common among babies aged between 1 and two years and women aged between 24 and 29 years, and it is most prevalent in Columbia (CDC, 2014). Improved medical services and delay of women to get pregnant is one of the causes of increased age ranges where the expectant women receive regular medications that prevent the baby from showing any symptoms of the disease shortly after birth.
Gonorrhea
This STI infects both men and women, and it normally affects genitals, throat, and rectum. According to CDC fact sheet 2015, gonorrhea commonly affects young people aged between 15 to 24 years (CDC, 2015). The data show that gonorrhea is most prevalent in Minnesota where it accounts for about 26% of all STIs in the state (CDC, 2015). The age ranges for the infection has increased in recent years. The increased level of awareness among people through various media is one of the major causes of shift in age range for gonorrhea infections.
References
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) (2014). Syphilis- CDC Fact Sheet. Retrieved August 16, 2016 from http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis.htm
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) (2015). Gonorrhea-CDC Fact Sheet Retrieved August 16, 2016 fromhttp://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea.htm
