People urged to learn early signs of 'great imitator' STI as cases soar
People are being encouraged to know the early signs of syphilis as cases have reached a peak not seen since the 1950s.
According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, new instances of this sexually transmitted infection have shot up by nearly 80%, to about 207,000.
Dr Laura Bachmann, the CDC's temporary head of sexually transmitted disease prevention said: "We have long known that these infections are common, but we have not faced such severe effects of syphilis in decades. It has emerged as a unique public health challenge."
Statistics revealed that the most infectious forms of syphilis have increased among all age groups nationwide. However, Black and Latino communities were much more impacted due to deep-rooted social inequalities which lead to health disparities. Among the recorded cases were 3,700 of congenital syphilis, frequently passed to babies during pregnancy, alarmingly, this is a 937% rise over the last decade.
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An artist's impression of a syphilis pathogen (Getty Images/iStockphoto)There's an alarming rise in congenital syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI), that can prove lethal for newborns. This infection can also cause health issues later in life if left untreated. Dr. Kenosha Gleaton, an OB-GYN expert, emphasised: "It's important to treat syphilis immediately, especially if you're pregnant, because it can lead to a number of issues during your pregnancy, birth and postpartum state."
The HuffingtonPost reported that the CDC has linked this increase to several factors including fewer people using condoms, a surge in substance abuse linked to risky sexual behaviour, and hurdles people face preventing STIs like screenings.
Identifying symptoms of this disease isn't easy and it's been aptly named "the great imitator" because it often mimics other illnesses. Syphilis progresses through four stages, with overlapping symptoms, making it most contagious during the first two stages.
You may notice one or multiple small sores, known as "chancres", within weeks of being exposed to the bacteria. These are incredibly infectious and most commonly show up around the vagina, penis, rectum or mouth. However, they can be difficult to spot if hidden inside your vagina or under the foreskin.
Doctors said one of the first symptoms can be sores but they are hard to spot and often painless (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Dr Geaton warned: "The sore is often painless and goes away on its own, but the syphilis bacteria will live in your body and progress over time if it's left untreated. The way your body reacts to syphilis bacteria can really vary, so I always recommend that my patients stay up to date on their STI testing, especially if they are pregnant."
If syphilis isn't treated, it can lead to a secondary stage which includes a rash, according to Dr. Philip A. Chan from Brown University and the Rhode Island Department of Health. He explained: "The rash can be anywhere on the body but classically involves the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. People may also experience fevers, chills, enlarged lymph nodes, malaise and other symptoms."
"No matter how progressive the symptoms are, they will actually clear on their own without treatment, but the syphilis bacteria will continue to live in your body and can lead to health issues later in life," added Dr Gleaton. If left untreated, this STI can cause serious health problems like blood vessel and heart issues, tumours, blindness, paralysis and even death.
Dr Chan further explained: "Testing for syphilis generally includes a blood test. Syphilis continues to be highly susceptible to penicillin, and treatment typically includes between one and three shots of a long-acting penicillin formulation."
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