Syphilis, Gonorrhea Surge Among NYC Women, Health Officials Say

NEW YORK CITY — Valentine's Day could yield nasty surprises for many New Yorkers this year.

Syphilis and gonorrhea infections among women in New York City spiked in the first half of 2021, health officials recently revealed.

Cases of gonorrhea were up 23 percent and 17 percent for primary and secondary syphilis compared to the same span in 2019, officials said.

Dave Chokshi, the city's health commissioner, called himself "deeply concerned." He noted the increases correspond with many New Yorkers putting off routine sexually transmitted infection testing during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Sexual health care is essential to a healthy life," he said in a statement. "If you are sexually active, now is the time to re-engage with routine STI testing so that you can seek treatment as soon as possible if you are positive.”

City officials recently issued a health alert urging New Yorkers and doctors to restart STI testing.

More women were diagnosed with gonorrhea and syphilis in the first half of 2021 than the same span in 2019, officials said.

And STI screenings sharply declined in the first half of 2020, they noted.

"Possible continued declines in STI screening due to the COVID-19 pandemic suggest that case data may mask an even larger increase in STIs among females," the health alert states.

The new data shows gonorrhea cases in women — which have gradually increased since 2014 — went up steeply last year. Men still account for 93 percent of syphilis cases, but infections among women grew more sharply in recent year, data shows.

Black and Latino women accounted for the majority of female gonorrhea and syphilis cases, officials said.

"Racial inequities in STI rates can be attributed to long-term structural racism, not biological or personal traits," the alert states. "The disproportionate burden of GC and P&S syphilis among females who are Black or Latino in NYC reflects the impact of structural racism, which prevents communities of color from accessing vital resources and opportunities, and negatively affects overall health and well-being."

Both gonorrhea and syphilis are treatable, but can cause complications if untreated, officials said.

Sexually active women under 25 are encouraged to get tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia at least once a year. Pregnant people should get tested for syphilis three times, officials said — at their first prenatal visit, in their third trimester and at delivery.

People can get tested at the city's Sexual Health Clinics as part of their low- to no-cost walk-in sexual health services for people 12 years and older, regardless of immigration status.

Free condoms and other safer sex products can be found at distribution sites across the city by visiting the NYC Health Map and selecting “Free Safer Sex Products.” More information on ordering free safer sex products can be found at nyc.gov/condoms.