Syphilis…not just for despotic leaders or literati of olden days.

When I think syphilis, I think about lots of oversexed aristocrats driven to madness in their silk and lace. But sadly, it’s not so. In fact a new report shows that the venereal disease has been rising in the US for the last 7 years, mostly among gay men, but also among black women.

This is ungood. Especially because the disease can be diagnosed quickly and cheaply with a simple blood test and treated with antibiotics, though resistant strains are appearing and spreading.

We certainly don’t need another Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment to tell us this is unhealthy. It’s also particularly ungood because syphilis increases vulnerability to HIV infection by 2 to 5 times. Baaaad. Untreated syphilis can also seriously harm or kill a developing fetus. Baaaaaad.

So next time you find yourself on the doctor’s table, why not just make sure you don’t have it. And practice safe sex, especially if you are teenager. Urg.