Syphilis cases are trending upwards nationally and in Pennsylvania. A Bucks County Health Department official said this month that those increases are also being seen locally.
Pennsylvania, with the exception of Philadelphia, saw a 2.49 percent increase in primary and secondary cases of syphilis in 2020. Last year, Bucks County health officials investigated 21 cases of syphilis, and saw that number increase to 29 this year through the end of October. There have also been increases in cases of gonorrhea.
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“These increases in both primary and secondary syphilis and gonorrhea represent the highest number of reported cases for both infections in approximately 30 years,” said Sharita Flaherty, the Bucks County Health Department’s HIV and STD program manager.
“Bucks County has experienced an increase in syphilis and gonorrhea that is consistent with what is happening within PA and nationally,” Flaherty stated.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stats show syphilis and gonorrhea cases increasing nationwide.
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Syphilis cases per 100,000 people in the U.S. increased to 51.5 instances in 2021, the highest rate since 1990 and the largest total since 1951 (171,074).
Dr. Michael Saag, an infectious disease expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, recently told NPR News he believes person-to-person infections are up because people are hesitant to get tested and that increase spread.
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Flaherty said counting cases isn’t always the best marker of increases because someone who has had a past syphilis infection will always test positive for syphilis even after receiving proper antibiotic treatment.
“There is no one cause for the increase in syphilis cases. That said, Bucks County Health Department has noted an anecdotal increase in people seeking routine STI testing because they are taking PrEP to prevent HIV infection and slightly more primary care providers are conducting annual sexual health screenings on their patients – both are very good things that can lend to increased cases of STI being identified,” she said. “Ultimately, it is a good thing for public health when people are tested and identified as having an STI – individuals can pause their sexual encounters with their partners and receive adequate treatment.”
Federal health officials said syphilis is spread through direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Syphilis infections can also spread from a mother with syphilis to her unborn baby, causing health concerns for the newborn.
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Without proper care, syphilis persists in a person’s body. The heart, brain, eyes, and other organs could be harmed by the infection. Some may die from the infection, which may not become apparent for many years, according to the CDC.
“Any sexually active person should seek routine testing for HIV and STIs, including syphilis, at least annually. Further, since most people with STIs experience no initial symptoms, and syphilis, when symptoms do occur, they go unnoticed, routine testing of all sexually active persons is best practice,” said Flaherty.
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The county health department official added: “Persons with confirmed infections need to be treated with the proper antibiotic regimen. It is important for people to know that not all antibiotics work against all bacterial infections, therefore, the best way to prevent transmitting syphilis or other STI to receive the correct antibiotic for the given infection and to avoid sexual contact until fully treated.”
The Bucks County Health Department offers free testing and treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, with free testing for HIV and linkage to care services. For more information on testing and treatment, visit the county health department website.
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