HOUSTON — Many people are doing it, but nobody wants to talk about it.
Sex.
It's a natural part of life that can create new life but can also have consequences.
"We had 2.5 million roughly people diagnosed with STIs in the last year," said Dr. Robin Hardwicke, an HIV medicine specialist with UT Physicians.
Nationwide, syphilis cases increased nearly 80% between 2018 and 2022. In July, a syphilis outbreak in Harris County sparked a community outreach response by the Houston Health Department.
Dr. Hardwicke said there is a simple solution to stopping this shocking trend.
"Each time you have sex with a new partner get tested," she said "Ideally, what I would like is that you and your partner use condoms first."
Dr. Hardwicke said if you haven't seen those test results, "Don't be a fool. Wrap that tool."
Read more from our Health Matters series here.