The U.S. is seeing a resurgence in syphilis, a disease once almost completely eliminated in the country. 

Why is it spiking?
The bacterial infection reached the highest rate of new infections since 1950 in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The number of cases increased among every age group, and the uptick included cases of congenital syphilis. South Dakota was the state with the highest rate of infections, and Native Americans and Alaska Natives were the ethnic groups with the highest rate of infections. "The syphilis epidemic touches nearly every community, but some racial and ethnic groups bear the brunt because of longstanding social inequities," Dr. Jonathan Mermin, the director of the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention at the CDC, said in The New York Times.

Syphilis can be dangerous if left untreated and can cause damage to the heart and brain, blindness, deafness and paralysis. If contracted during pregnancy, the disease could cause a miscarriage or stillbirth or lead to disabilities and developmental delays in surviving infants. While most common in gay and bisexual men, the condition is also rising in heterosexual men and women. Experts believe that the increase in drug addiction across the country is playing a substantive role in the increase in cases. 

What is being done?
Last year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) organized a national task force for syphilis. "Addressing the resurgence of syphilis and congenital syphilis requires a concerted effort," said ADM Rachel L. Levine, the assistant secretary for health and chair of the National Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis Syndemic Federal Task Force.

The mounting number of syphilis cases has spawned another problem: a medicine shortage. The best medication to treat the disease is penicillin G benzathine, which is sold as Bicillin L-A in the U.S. by pharmaceutical company Pfizer. There has been a shortage of the drug since April 2023. "Wishing hard won't prevent sexually transmitted infections," Mermin said to the Times. "We need sustained public health efforts."

A young polar bear snoozes on a small iceberg in Norway, in an image that won the UK's Nima Sarikhani the People's Choice Award in the Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. 
Nima Sarikhani

Camping is not just for summer. During the winter, when the temperatures have dropped, the leaves have fallen and the snow is glistening, you get a different appreciation for the great outdoors. Bonus: There are much fewer people (and bugs!) around. 

Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah
Known for its overlooks, Dead Horse Point State Park is even more gorgeous in the winter, when fresh snow covers the vibrant red rocks. The park has seven miles of hiking trails that offer canyon and Colorado River views, so plan for a sunrise or sunset, when the rocks take on an ethereal glow. One advantage of camping overnight is being able to participate in special ranger-led activities. 

Hungry Mother State Park in Virginia
Hungry Mother State Park is one big playground for the entire family. The park's centerpiece is its 108-acre lake, which seems to sparkle more in the winter. There are also more than 17 miles of trails open year-round, and kids are encouraged to explore every inch of them through the Junior Naturalist program. You can rough it by staying at the clean, quiet Camp Burson Campground or book a cabin.

Lake Carmi State Park in Vermont
Lake Carmi State Park is a multipurpose winner with ice enthusiasts. When the lake freezes over, you can ice-fish or -skate. But if snow is more your thing, there are plenty of trails for snowshoeing. Lake Carmi State Park has the biggest campground in Vermont, and during the winter, off-season access is hike-in only.