Syphilis Cases Reach 74-Year High in the United States, Public Health Officials Concerned
Syphilis cases in the United States have reached a 74-year high, according to recently released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This surge in infections has raised concerns among public health officials, particularly in Seattle and King County.
Dr. Meena Ramchandani, an infectious disease specialist at UW Medicine, highlighted that syphilis transmission is most prominent among men who have sex with men. However, she also expressed alarm at the increasing frequency of women contracting the infection. “A large proportion of those syphilis diagnoses in women are asymptomatic,” Ramchandani explained. “What that means potentially, [is] … there’s a large reservoir of undiagnosed infections that are circulating in the community.”
The CDC’s 2022 STI Surveillance Report revealed that over 207,000 cases of syphilis were detected in the past two years, marking the highest national case count since 1950. Seattle and King County saw a staggering 90% increase in syphilis cases among women between 2020 and 2022.
The rise in syphilis cases has been ongoing since the early 2000s, but the recent increase among women and heterosexual men is a concerning development. Pregnant individuals infected with syphilis face the risk of fetal demise and other congenital impacts.
Adding to the concerns, there is currently a national shortage of antibiotics that can effectively treat syphilis infections. To address this shortage, the FDA has temporarily approved the import of syphilis-treating drugs from a France-based pharmaceutical company.
While an exact cause for the surge in syphilis cases has not been identified, Dr. Ramchandani suggested several factors that could contribute to this trend. These include decreased access to quality sexual health care and cuts to funding for sexual health care and public health programs. Additionally, there may be decreased awareness about the disease among individuals, communities, and even healthcare providers who may not be comfortable with diagnosing and managing syphilis.
Dr. Ramchandani shared the story of a patient who struggled to receive a diagnosis despite showing symptoms of the disease for months. “She thought she was in a monogamous relationship. And she had seen four different providers until someone did a biopsy of her rash, and they saw syphilis everywhere,” Ramchandani revealed.
Increasing awareness about syphilis is crucial, according to Dr. Ramchandani. People need to be aware that syphilis is prevalent in their community, and clinicians must be educated to effectively help patients.
Public Health – Seattle and King County recommends that several groups be tested for syphilis, including sexually active individuals (cis-women, cis-men who have sex with women, and men who have sex with men), users of injection drugs, methamphetamine or non-prescription opioid users, individuals who may deal with homelessness, those who participate in transactional sex, and people with a history of incarceration. Individuals with a history of syphilis in the last two years should be tested annually and whenever they seek care, up to every three months.
The alarming rise in syphilis cases calls for immediate action to address the issue. Public health officials, healthcare providers, and communities must work together to increase awareness, improve access to sexual health care, and ensure adequate funding for public health programs. Only through a comprehensive approach can we hope to curb the spread of syphilis and protect the well-being of our communities.
