Nevada’s syphilis rate highest in West

Health officials say it’s part of a national spike in cases tied to increased testing, a rise in anonymous sex tied to social media and a less consistent use of condoms.

Social media’s link to syphilis in the gay community has prompted health officials to take their educational outreach directly to the websites and apps, in some cases creating profiles or buying ads.

Syphilis spreads through skin-to-skin sexual contact when there’s a sore or lesion, typically in the genital or anal areas or mouth.