The city of Houston is dealing with an outbreak of syphilis, particularly among women.Photo:Getty
Getty
Health officials are warning of an outbreak of syphilis in Houston, which has seen cases in women rise 128%.
“Cases among women totaled 674 cases in 2022, up from 295 cases in 2019,” a release from theHouston Health Department said.“Congenital syphilis soared from 16 cases in 2016 to 151 cases in 2021.”
In response, the city is launching outreach programs that include increased screening for the disease. The health department announced it will waive testing fees for sexually transmitted diseases at its centers.
Officials warn of the dangers of untreated syphilis — especially if someone is pregnant.Getty
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Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is usually spread through sexual contact, according to theMayo Clinic, and usually presents as painless sores that spread the disease.
Because the sores don’t hurt, they often go undetected. However, theCDC saysthat while the sores will last 3-6 weeks regardless of treatment, it’s important to seek medical care to prevent the infection from progressing to the next, more dangerous stage.
At its early stage, syphilis can be cured with asingle doseof antibiotics. But “without treatment, syphilis can severely damage the heart, brain or other organs, and can be life-threatening.”
Of particular concern for health officials is the undetected spread of syphilis from mothers to unborn children.
“It is crucial for pregnant women to seek prenatal care and syphilis testing to protect themselves from an infection that could result in the deaths of their babies,” Marlene McNeese Ward, deputy assistant director in the department’s Bureau of HIV/STI and Viral Hepatitis Prevention, said in a statement.
“A pregnant woman needs to get tested for syphilis three times during her pregnancy,” she said — specifically, at a prenatal visit, during the third trimester, and again after delivery.
Untreated syphilis can result in stillbirth or death shortly after birth, the statement continued.
According tothe CDC, cases of congenital syphilis in the United States have “more than tripled” in recent years — although the disease was once“nearly eliminated.”
But while syphilis is on the rise, the CDC cautions that it cannot be spread through toilet seats, door knobs — or even fromsharing utensils
source: people.com
