Primary and secondary syphilis – Reported cases by sex and sex of sex partners, United States, 2017-2021

NOTE: Over the five year period, 0.2% of cases were missing sex and were not included.

During 2017 to 2021, a plurality (46.1%) of primary and secondary syphilis cases were among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM; 92,074 cases).

During 2020 to 2021, the number of cases among MSM increased 7.0% (17,968 in 2020 to 19,229 in 2021), while the number of cases increased 43.9% among men who have sex with women only (MSW; 7,801 in 2020 to 11,228 in 2021), 38.3% among men with unknown sex of sex partners (MSU; 7,877 in 2020 to 10,892 in 2021), and 55.2% among women (7,901 in 2020 to 12,265 in 2021).

During 2017 to 2021, the number of cases among MSM increased 8.4% (17,736 in 2017 to 19,229 in 2021), while the number of cases increased 146.9% among MSW (4,548 in 2017 to 11,228 in 2021), 136.7% among MSU (4,601 in 2017 to 10,892 in 2021), and 229.5% among women (3,722 in 2017 to 12,265 in 2021).