A medical expert has issued a caution regarding a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is increasingly widespread and potentially deadly, especially in one state in the United States.
Syphilis, like many other STDs, is transmitted through bacterial infection via contact with contaminated fluids. This can occur during sexual intercourse or other sexual activities with an infected individual.
Failure to treat syphilis can result in severe long-term complications, making it crucial to recognize its symptoms, which can be elusive.
According to WLBT3, statistics suggest that if you gather 100 people from Mississippi, at least one is likely to have an STD.
The 2023 CDC report reveals Mississippi ranks third nationwide for the number of reported primary and secondary syphilis cases. Additionally, the state is among the top five for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Dr. Kayla Stover, a professor and vice chair of pharmacy practice at the University of Mississippi, emphasized, “It is a nationwide epidemic. In Mississippi, we’ve seen an 80% increase in overall cases and a 1,000% increase in congenital syphilis, which is when the disease is passed from mother to baby.”
Identifying syphilis can be challenging as symptoms are intermittent and might not manifest until years after initial infection.
Discussing symptom recognition, Dr. Stover stated: “The first stage of syphilis starts with a lesion in a person’s mouth or genital area that starts a couple of weeks after exposure.”
She further explained that the lesion is often painless, may disappear, and hence could be overlooked. If not treated, a rash may develop on the extremities, especially the palms and soles, eight to twelve weeks post-exposure. If still untreated, the disease might become dormant or reemerge, causing significant long-term health issues.
In severe cases, untreated tertiary syphilis, the final stage, can result in blindness, heart and nervous system damage, mental disorders, and possible brain damage.
Regular testing, at least annually or more frequently for those with multiple partners, is critical.
Dr. Stover encourages testing by stating, “This is a very common disease in this world, and nothing should be shameful or stigmatizing. Everybody should get tested because we’re taking control of our health and we’re making sure we stay healthy and that our partners are safe.”