A remarkable warning came about syphilis, one of the oldest sexually transmitted diseases. In the statement made by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it was emphasized that the epidemic did not show any signs of slowing down contrary to popular belief. According to the data, the epidemic is not limited to the United States only.
INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CASE
According to the data of the Ministry of Health, syphilis is the most common sexually transmitted infection in Turkey. Syphilis cases have increased rapidly since 2012. The number of cases, which fell to 281 in 2012, increased to 3533 in 2022. In 2022, 133 gonorrhea, 31 chlamydia, 2971 HIV-AIDS cases were recorded among STIs.
SCIENTISTS AND DOCTORS SURPRISED
It was reported that the mother mostly caught the infection from her partner during pregnancy and passed it to her child. According to the statement, congenital syphilis causes stillbirths, infant deaths and lifelong health problems.
32 PERCENT INCREASE IN USA
Between 2020-21, there was a 32 percent increase in the number of cases in the USA alone. This situation surprised scientists and doctors.
According to the data published by the World Health Organization (WHO), 7.1 million new cases of syphilis were seen globally in 2020 alone.
REACHED THE HIGHEST LEVEL EVER SEEN SINCE 1948
In 2022, syphilis cases in the UK reached their highest level since 1948. According to the data of the STI Foundation, known for its work in the field of STIs, the disease increased by 8.4 percent between 2020-21.
IT CAUSES MANY DISEASES IF NOT TREATED
Stating that the said infection is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum, experts divide the symptoms into four stages.
The earliest period presents with a painless sore or rash at the site of contact. In the statements made, it is stated that intramuscular penicillin administration is the most effective way to treat the infection.
Experts warn that syphilis can lead to long-term neurological and cardiovascular (heart and vascular) diseases if left untreated.