Honey Bear, ” Just saying…!”
San Francisco Monthly STD Report
Data for September, 2010
Report prepared October 29, 2010
Syphilis Rates in San Francisco Continue to Rise
After a year of decline, early syphilis rates in San Francisco are rebounding. Between January and September of 2010, 460 early sy-
philis cases have been reported, a 21.7% increase over the same period in 2009. Over 90% of syphilis cases are among men who have
sex with men (MSM) and over one-third of cases have had a previous diagnosis of syphilis. Consistent with previous years, 58% of the
early syphilis cases are white, 20% Hispanic, 10% African-American, and 6% Asian/Pacific Islander; over half of the cases are over the
age of 40 and 60% of all reported cases are HIV infected. Nearly one-third of early syphilis cases reported methamphetamine use and
over a quarter reported using erectile dysfunction medication in the prior year. Nearly half of reported early syphilis cases had met sex
partners online. The San Francisco Department of Public Health continues to recommend that MSM be screened for syphilis every 3-6
months. For more information about syphilis, including information for providers, visit sfcityclinic.org. Expert clinical consultation in
syphilis management is available through City Clinic at (415) 487-5595. KB
San Francisco Monthly STD Report
Provider STD Reporting: 415-487-5555, 415-431-4628 (fax)