Syphilis cases rise 7th year in a row

U.S. syphilis cases climbed for the seventh straight year in 2007, and increases in the disease among gay men and blacks were major factors, government researchers reported.

The trend can be partly blamed on too few gay men getting recommended annual screenings for syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, citing studies released at an STD conference in Chicago.

While the number of cases still is relatively low -- 11,181 last year -- the trend worries public health officials, who say better awareness and screening is needed.