Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a global public health challenge. This can lead to many health risks, including serious reproductive, physical, and mental health issues. Furthermore, STIs can also amplify the risk of transmitting HIV. As per a 2019 study by Rowley et al., the rates at which people have contacted STIs are increasing globally, with more than 1 million STIs daily.

New data however indicates that the spread of STI may be slowing down, as the rate of total cases for three major infections fell by 2% in 2023 as compared to the previous year, reveals the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Top 10 US States With The Most Number of STIs

As per the data, more than 2.4 million people were diagnosed with syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia last year, which marked a 2% decrease from 2022 and a 4% drop from the year 2019. The data also reveals 10 states in the US with the most number of STIs, despite the drop in the overall cases. The top 10 states, starting with the state on number 10th are:

10. New York: It has a total STI rate of 857.3 cases per 100,000 people

9. Arkansas: 869.5 cases per 100,000 people

8. South Carolina: 882.8 cases per 100,000 people

7. North Carolina: 911.5 cases per 100,000 people

6. Alabama: 952.3 cases per 100,000 people

5. Georgia: 996.5 cases per 100,000 people

4. South Dakota: 1,013.9 cases per 100,000 people

3. Alaska: 1,063.4 cases per 100,000 people

2. Mississippi: 1,067.7 cases per 100,000 people1. Louisiana: 1,181.5 cases per 100,000 people

How prevalent is STI in the US?

As per a 2021 study, published in the book Sexually Transmitted Infections: Adopting a Sexual Health Paradigm, also published in the online portal of the National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2.6 million infections were found to be prevalent in the United States in 2018. 6.9 million infections common to people between the ages of 15 and 59. Another 2021 study states that women are 6 times more likely than men to have a prevalent infection.

Most Common STIs in the US

The most common STIs as per CDC data are syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea. The latest data shows that the cases were recorded at 734 per 100,000 people.

Syphilis

More than 209,000 cases of syphilis were reported in the US in 2023. While this was the highest number reported since 1950, it was just 1% increase from 2022, with an overall decrease in the total cases of STIs being reported.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), this is a preventable and curable bacterial STI. However, many people do not get to know about it as it does not have any symptoms. It can be transmitted during oral, vaginal, and anal sex, in pregnancy and through blood transfusion.

Symptoms

Round, painless and hard sore near genitals, anus

Non-itchy rashes on palms and feet

White or grey lesions in moist areas could be anus or labia

Chlamydia

Between 2022 and 2023, the cases of chlamydia were steady and decreased by less than 1%. It is one of the most common STIs caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It does not cause any symptoms, which is why people would not know if they have it. However, it is curable. You can have chlamydia if you have unprotected sex, or can be passed down in pregnancy.

Gonorrhea

The cases of gonorrhoea also fell in 2023 and dropped by 8%. It is also one of the most common STIs, with 1 in 10 men being infected and 5 in 10 women infected by the same. It is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae by vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex, and can be passed to a child in pregnancy. However, it is curable.

The common symptoms include:

Unusual vaginal discharge in women

Unusual discharge in men from the tip of the penis

Pain or burning sensation while passing the urine

Inflammation of the foreskin in men

Bleeding between periods, heavier periods and bleeding after sex in women

A widespread listeria outbreak traced to contaminated ready-to-eat meals has resulted in at least six deaths and 27 hospitalizations across 18 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised consumers to inspect their freezers for potentially affected items tied to the ongoing infections.

Nate’s Fine Foods, the company behind the products connected to the outbreak, issued a statement on September 29 confirming that listeria was found in some of its food products.

Listeria Outbreak Expands Across States, Linked to Ready-to-Eat Pasta Products

The number of deaths has increased in the ongoing listeria outbreak connected to ready-to-eat pasta dishes sold at major retailers including Walmart, Kroger, and Trader Joe’s.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seven new cases of listeria infection have been confirmed in three additional states since the previous update on September 25. The outbreak has now affected 27 people across 18 states and caused six deaths as of October 30.

Of those infected, 25 required hospitalization, and one case involved a pregnancy-related loss, the FDA noted. The FDA, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), continues to investigate the nationwide outbreak.

The investigation, which began in June, has traced the outbreak to contaminated precooked pasta produced by Nate’s Fine Foods, Inc. The tainted pasta was used in a variety of ready-to-eat items, including pasta salads, frozen meals, and deli products distributed through several major grocery chains.

What Is Listeria?

Listeria is a harmful bacterium that causes listeriosis, a serious infection spread through contaminated food. It is commonly found in soil, water, and various ready-to-eat items such as deli meats, soft cheeses, and prepackaged meals like the recently recalled pasta sold at Walmart.

Unlike most bacteria, Listeria can survive and multiply in cold environments, including refrigerators, which is why safe food storage and thorough cooking are essential, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Who Is Most at Risk from Listeria?

Although anyone can become infected, certain people face a greater risk of complications. These include pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. In pregnant women, the infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe illness in newborns.

Symptoms of listeriosis usually appear within two weeks of eating contaminated food. The illness often starts with digestive discomfort, including nausea or diarrhea, and can progress to more severe signs such as fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, and loss of balance.

Full List of Recalled Products Linked to Listeria Outbreak

According to The Associated Press, the following ready-to-eat meals have been recalled due to potential Listeria contamination:

• Sprouts Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad – sold from deli or Grab & Go section; best-by dates Oct. 10–29
• Giant Eagle Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad – expiration dates Sept. 30–Oct. 7
• Kroger Deli Bowtie and Penne Pasta Salads – sold Aug. 29–Oct. 2
• Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls (9.6 oz) – best if used by Mar. 12, 13, 17, and 21, 2027
• Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo (16 oz) – best if used by Sept. 20, 24, 27, 28; Oct. 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10
• Albertsons Deli Pasta Salads – sell through dates Sept. 8–Oct. 4
• Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce (12 oz) – best-by Sept. 22, 24, 25; Sept. 29–Oct. 1
• Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine (12.3 oz) – best-by June 26 or earlier; (32.8 oz) – best-by June 27 or earlier
• Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (12.5 oz) – best-by June 19 or earlier

Donald Trump Health: Trump visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on October 10 for what he described as his “semi-annual physical.” He had already undergone a routine check-up in April. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to Japan, Trump confirmed that he received an MRI during his appointment.

“I did, I got an MRI—it was perfect,” Trump said, adding that reporters would need to ask his doctors for the reason behind it. “I think they gave you very conclusive reports. Nobody has ever given reports like I did. And if I didn’t think it would be good, I wouldn’t run. The doctor said they were some of the best results for someone my age.”

What Is An MRI?

MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It produces detailed scans of internal soft tissues and is commonly used for examining organs and detecting abnormalities.

When Did Trump Visit Walter Reed?

He returned to Walter Reed on October 10 for “advanced imaging, laboratory tests, and preventive evaluations.” During the same visit, Trump also received his flu and COVID-19 booster vaccinations. Barbabella later stated that the former president remains in “excellent overall health.”

What Health Condition Has Trump Been Diagnosed With?

Earlier this year, the White House disclosed that Trump has chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a common vascular disorder in which leg veins struggle to return blood to the heart properly. This condition can cause swelling and discomfort in the legs.

On October 10, Trump made another trip to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. His spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, described it as a “routine annual check-up,” even though it was his second visit to the facility in just six months. Dr. Sean Barbabella, the White House physician, did not provide details about the imaging or preventive evaluations carried out during the appointment. However, he stated that Trump’s lab results were “exceptional” and that his cardiac health appeared to be roughly 14 years younger than his actual age.

On October 27, Trump mentioned that he had undergone an undisclosed MRI scan during a previous visit to Walter Reed. Though he said the test produced “some of the best reports for the age” and “some of the best reports they’ve ever seen,” the lack of details surrounding the procedure has fueled speculation about his health.

Trump has also previously spoken about taking the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a test used to detect cognitive decline, but has repeatedly described it as a “very difficult IQ test.” It is not known whether another MoCA test was conducted during his October visit or if Trump was referring to the tests he took in April 2025 or January 2018.

A wide range of people in the UK may be eligible for a free flu vaccine this season after the NHS confirmed that infections are increasing “earlier than usual.” Each year, the NHS provides flu vaccinations throughout autumn and early winter, as this is when flu activity tends to peak. Although influenza is typically mild for most people and symptoms clear up within a few weeks, some individuals face a much higher risk of serious complications and therefore need extra protection.

To ensure those at greatest risk are shielded from severe illness, the flu jab is offered free of charge to certain groups.

According to NHS England on X (formerly Twitter): “Flu cases have arrived earlier than usual and are already three times higher than this point last year, with infections climbing fastest among children. So far, NHS teams have administered 12.2 million flu vaccines to help safeguard the most vulnerable.”

How the Flu Jab Protects You?

The flu vaccine trains your immune system to recognise and fight the influenza virus without needing to be infected first. It contains a small, inactive portion of the flu virus, which triggers your body’s natural defences to produce antibodies.

After receiving the jab, it takes around ten days for protection to fully develop. Importantly, the vaccine cannot cause the flu, as the virus it contains is inactive. Most people only need one dose each year to stay protected through the season.

Who Can Get the Flu Jab for Free?

As per current NHS guidelines, six main groups of people can receive the flu jab at no cost. You qualify for a free vaccination if you are at higher risk or live with someone who may be.

Those eligible include:

• Adults aged 65 or older, or anyone turning 65 by March 31, 2026
• People living with someone whose immune system is compromised (for example, those undergoing chemotherapy)
• Main carers for older or disabled individuals, or anyone receiving carer’s allowance
• Individuals with certain long-term medical conditions
• Residents of care homes
• Pregnant women

How to Access Your Free Flu Vaccine?

If you qualify, you can receive the free vaccine in several convenient ways. You may book an appointment through your GP practice, or if you are aged 18 or over, you can arrange one online or through the NHS App at a participating pharmacy.

Many pharmacies also allow eligible individuals to walk in for the jab without a prior appointment, making it easier for those who need protection to get vaccinated quickly and safely.

However, not every pharmacy is part of the free flu vaccination programme. You can check which nearby pharmacies offer the service through the NHS website’s locator tool. The site also provides complete details about the flu vaccine, including information on its ingredients and how it works.