Increase in primary and secondary syphilis cases in older adults in Louisiana

Sexually active young adults and adolescents experience a majority of the burden of sexually transmitted diseases in the United States and public health resources are appropriately directed at these age groups. However, sexual health of older adults is often ignored. An analysis of sexually transmitted disease surveillance data from the Louisiana Office of Public Health show that both the numbers and rates of primary and secondary syphilis cases have increased in older age groups over the past 10 years. Clinicians must be aware of increased use of erectile dysfunction drugs in older persons as a possible risk factor for sexually transmitted diseases. Clinicians must also realize that a significant number of older persons display sexually risky behavior and safe sexual health counseling is often overlooked in this population.