TSA pat-downs may come with a dose of syphilis or gonorrhea, experts say

After World News Daily revealed that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents do not necessarily change latex gloves between pat-downs, several physicians told the news source that the practice could potentially spread disease.

Chief among the afflictions listed were sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like syphilis or gonorrhea, which may be spread by close contact with individuals with open wounds or sores.

Experts also told the source that gloves used consecutively to frisk hundreds of people could theoretically pass contagions ranging from lice and staph infections to chlamydia or strep throat.

The TSA did not respond to inquiries by the media outlet.

Since full-body scanners may be forgone at any time in favor of pat-downs, individuals concerned that they are displaying the symptoms of an STD may consider purchasing online testing services.

Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 19 million new STD cases occur every year in the U.S., many of which may go unnoticed by those infected.