UNITED STATES – September 18, 2024 – Syphilis was almost eliminated in the United States 25 years ago. However, it has surged in recent years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has documented more than 200,000 syphilis cases in 2022, the highest number since 1950.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause serious health problems without treatment. There are 4 stages of syphilis. The first stage is having a firm, round and painless sore or multiple sores at the site of sexual activity. The infection can be spread by direct contact with this sore during sex. Even though the sore goes away after 3-6 weeks, the infection remains if untreated. The second stage is identified by a reddish skin rash. Even if the rash goes away, the infection is still there without treatment. Years later, the third stage can develop with damage to the heart, brain or nervous system.
Congenital syphilis can be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy. It has occurred 10 times more frequently over the past 10 years. More than 3,700 cases have been reported in 2022, the highest number in one year since 1994.
Pregnant women with untreated syphilis have a higher risk of miscarriage, having a stillbirth, delivering a premature baby, having a baby with low birth weight, and having a baby that dies shortly after birth. Babies born with congenital syphilis can have many health problems including anemia, brain seizures, nerve problems, enlarged internal organs, jaundice and can die.
Syphilis is curable with antibiotics if detected early. It can be tested with either a blood test or by obtaining fluid from the sore. If you test positive for syphilis, your sex partner will need to be tested too. Treatment should begin soon after a positive test.
You can protect yourself and your baby from getting syphilis by getting a blood test for syphilis at least once during pregnancy and when the baby is born.
The Buncombe County STI Testing and Treatment clinic provides a full range of services at no or low cost to everybody. The clinic is at the HHS Building at 40 Coxe Avenue in Asheville. Their phone number is 828-250-5109.
Listen to the full report below:
Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, healthyasheville@ashevillefm.org