Syphilis rates climb in eastern Newfoundland

The rate of infection of syphilis is on the rise in eastern Newfoundland, says Eastern Health, which is reminding the public of the importance of safe-sex practices, including the regular use of condoms and oral dams and routine testing for sexually transmitted infections.

There were 33 confirmed cases affecting men and woman aged 15 to

68 in 2018, including the first cases of congenital syphilis — when a pregnant woman spreads the disease to her unborn child — witnessed by the province’s eastern region health authority.

When passed to a baby, syphilis can result in miscarriage, newborn death, and severe lifelong physical and developmental concerns. Without early and regular prenatal care, a pregnant woman might not know she has syphilis and that her baby is at risk. Syphilis during pregnancy is easily cured with the right antibiotics.

The risk of transmission to a fetus in untreated women is 70 to 100 per cent in early infection and up to 40 per cent in later stages of infection, i.e. infected more than six months previously.

Syphilis symptoms may first appear 10 to 90 days after an individual becomes infected, with the average period of time being 21 days. While some people might not experience any symptoms, syphilis can produce different symptoms at each stage of infection, including an open sore at the point of infection (genital area, anus, mouth or lips), flu-like illness, muscle aches and pains, fatigue, and/or a rash on the chest, back, palms of hands and bottoms of feet.

Eastern Health says if an individual has had unprotected anal, oral or vaginal sex and is concerned he or she might have contracted syphilis, it is important for them to see a health-care professional and get tested as soon as possible.