Syphilis cases are rising

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported that syphilis cases have reached the highest levels since the 1950s. In 2022, South Dakota led the nation with the highest rate and has reported significant increases in the adult and congenital/syphilitic stillbirth populations.

Adult syphilis

1,504 case reported

90 % increase from 2021

2,493% increase from 5-year media

 Congenital/syphilitic stillbirth

40 congenital and 2 syphilitic stillbirths

150% increase from 2021

1,233% increase in 5-year median

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium treponema pallidum. Syphilis is transmitted during oral, vaginal, and anal sex, in pregnancy and through blood transfusion. Syphilis in pregnancy may lead to stillbirth, newborn death, and babies born with syphilis (congenital syphilis). It can cause serious health effects without adequate treatment. Infection develops in stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary). Symptoms can vary with each stage.  

Basic facts

• Anyone can get syphilis.
• Many people who have syphilis don’t know it.
• The first symptom is a painless, round, red sore that can appear anywhere you’ve had sex.
• Syphilis is curable with the right antibiotics.

Prevention

• Limit your number of sex partners.
• Use a condom.
• If you think you are infected, avoid any sexual contact and visit your local STD clinic, a hospital, or your doctor.
• Notify all sexual contacts immediately so they can obtain examination and treatment.
• All pregnant women should receive at least one prenatal blood test for syphilis.

Untreated syphilis can lead to the destruction of soft tissue and bone, heart failure, blindness, and a variety of other conditions that may be mild to incapacitating.

This article is abstracted from the CDC and SD Department of Health website.

Syphilis- CFC Basic Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Syphilis. South Dakota Department of Health