Chicago Syphilis Surge Found in Men with Same-Sex Partners

Chicago, IL - Chicago Health Officials are saying the Internet is to blame for a recent surge in the syphilis cases among men who have sex with men.

According to a new report by the Chicago Department of Public Health, men who have sex with men are more likely to turn to the Internet to find sex partners.

Experts believe the Internet makes it easier and faster to find sexual partners and in-turn creating more possibilities for passing around infections.

According to the health department survey, 34 percent of men diagnosed with syphilis last year at city health department STD clinics said they met their sex partners on the Internet.

Last year 71% of the 331 syphilis cases reported last year were with men who had same-sex partners. In the United States, health officials reported over 36,000 cases of syphilis in 2006.

According to the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, syphilis is easy to cure in its early stages.

For more information on testing, prevention and other health related matters, you can contact the Howard Brown Health Center at 773-388-1600.