# Danger, Will Robinson (Discussing increased incidences of syphilis in Texas)
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/danger-will-robinson-discussing-increased-incidences-of-syphilis-in-texas/987050
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [July 15, 2023, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/danger-will-robinson-discussing-increased-incidences-of-syphilis-in-texas/987050 "2023-07-15T00:15:44Z")
**Posts on this page:** 11
**Page:** 4
### Author:  [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2023, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/danger-will-robinson-discussing-increased-incidences-of-syphilis-in-texas/987050/61 "2023-07-17T19:24:36Z")
Sure, but we had those exact same billboards here in Dallas about a year or two ago. I had originally just wanted to link to the photo, but I messed that up and left the article because it was interesting.
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### Author:  [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/danger-will-robinson-discussing-increased-incidences-of-syphilis-in-texas/987050/62 "2023-07-17T19:36:25Z")
Understandable!
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2023, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/danger-will-robinson-discussing-increased-incidences-of-syphilis-in-texas/987050/63 "2023-07-17T21:33:47Z")
> [@peccavi](#):
>
> One thought I had was whether anyone has tried to correlate the rise in STDs with the (fairly successful) assault in certain states on clinics offering free sexual health services (like Planned Parenthood closures, reduction of state-funded services, etc.,) and/or reduction of sex education in schools?
I think you have hit on a big part of the answer.
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2023, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/danger-will-robinson-discussing-increased-incidences-of-syphilis-in-texas/987050/64 "2023-07-17T22:21:13Z")
> [@peccavi](#):
>
> Planned Parenthood closures
Yeah, this. PP is excellent in screening for, testing for, educating about, and treating syphilis. And other STIs. And other pertinent sexual matters. I used to work at one of their clinics long ago. And still donate to them.
But it’s true that it’s a lot of horny old folks getting syphilis these days too.
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### Author:  [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2023, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/danger-will-robinson-discussing-increased-incidences-of-syphilis-in-texas/987050/65 "2023-07-17T22:28:22Z")
Gives the senior living centers a whole new meaning of “living”.
If it wasn’t for the diseases, they obviously don’t need, I’d say more power to them.
Though, I have to say I’m kinda shocked.
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### Author:  [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2023, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/danger-will-robinson-discussing-increased-incidences-of-syphilis-in-texas/987050/66 "2023-07-17T22:31:06Z")
I’m not. Single again, and no birth control needed? Why not?
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### Author:  [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2023, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/danger-will-robinson-discussing-increased-incidences-of-syphilis-in-texas/987050/67 "2023-07-17T22:32:53Z")
Umm? Horrible diseases?
Just sayin’
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### Author:  [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2023, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/danger-will-robinson-discussing-increased-incidences-of-syphilis-in-texas/987050/68 "2023-07-17T22:45:44Z")
In how many years?
Just do me.
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### Author:  [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2023, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/danger-will-robinson-discussing-increased-incidences-of-syphilis-in-texas/987050/69 "2023-07-17T22:57:25Z")
It’s not just loss of access because of cost. I’d bet that a fair fraction of folks worried about a potential STD, that have medical coverage, end up at the free clinic just for the anonymity of it and the avoidance of a frank conversation with their regular physician.
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### Author:  [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)
#### Post date: [July 18, 2023, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/danger-will-robinson-discussing-increased-incidences-of-syphilis-in-texas/987050/70 "2023-07-18T10:36:40Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#):
>
> (cue Barry White)
Marvin Gaye,
[ ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6QZn9xiuOE)
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### Author:  [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2023, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/danger-will-robinson-discussing-increased-incidences-of-syphilis-in-texas/987050/71 "2023-07-28T08:24:26Z")
> [@Lumpy](#):
>
> Newborns still get drops in their eyes to prevent blindness if their mother has gonorrhea, although nowadays its modern antibiotics instead of the silver nitrate solution they used to use.
I think they still do that - or at least when my kids (28 and 26) were born they did - it was standard practice, as I didn’t have gonorrhea.
It’s rather a pity that screening for things like STDs is not part of a routine prenatal blood draw. Seems to be up to the doctor; IIRC, they did not test me for HIV before my son (28) was born, but did test me when I was pregnant with my daughter. They’re checking other stuff anyway, what’s one more test.
Obviously this only works if the woman a) seeks medical care, and b) the doctor orders it.
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#):
>
> But it’s true that it’s a lot of horny old folks getting syphilis these days too.
I’m pretty sure that every medical TV show in existence has one episode featuring a retiree showing up at the ER, confusing the doctors, until one of the docs decides to test for STDs.
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