If STD testing reveals a positive syphilis result, be sure to follow up with an HIV test. Those infected syphilis have a high probability of being co-infected with HIV.
According to the CDC, more than one-third (36%) of people diagnosed with syphilis also had a positive HIV test. HIV and syphilis co-infection is particularly prevalent among men who have sex with other men (MSM). MSM have a 56% co-infection rate as opposed to 9% among men who have sex with only women and 5% among women.
This is the first national study that looks at co-infection rates of HIV and syphilis. This data shows a need for increased STD testing—specifically among high-risk groups for HIV and syphilis. High-risk groups for syphilis and HIV include MSM and young, black men. Men who fit both criteria are even more disproportionally affected by these STDs.
To fight these preventable, yet serious, diseases, the CDC plans to launch a campaign encouraging STD testing called “Testing Makes Us Stronger.” This campaign is geared toward young, black men who have sex with men and is being launched next month in Atlanta, Houston, New York, Baltimore and Oakland—five cities with high populations of at-risk men.
Source: medpagetoday.com/clinical-context/HIVAIDS/28057
