Doctors are seeing an alarming trend of syphilis cases surging nationwide in recent years. The CDC’s latest STI surveillance report found syphilis infections have soared rapidly nationwide, with a percent change of nearly 79 percent from 2018 to 2022. Allegheny County saw the same increase during that time, according to the Allegheny County Health Department.

UPMC’s Dr. Ken Ho, an infectious disease specialist and associate professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, expressed concern over the surge in syphilis cases. He mentioned that the decrease between 2021 to 2022 is encouraging, but the rise in congenital syphilis in 2022 nationwide, which was 10 times higher than a decade ago, is alarming. Dr. Ho emphasized the implications for the health of the baby and the potential risks of stillbirth and birth defects associated with congenital syphilis.

Issues with accessing health care and delayed testing could be contributing to the rise in cases. Dr. Ho suggested expanding the availability of point-of-care testing to provide immediate results, in an effort to combat the spread of syphilis. The sexually transmitted infection can cause serious health problems if left untreated.

The county health department highlighted that syphilis has disproportionately impacted men who have sex with men and Black residents in Allegheny County. Dr. Ho emphasized the importance of raising awareness about syphilis and ensuring that pregnant women and sexually active individuals are regularly tested.

Dr. Ho urged people to engage with healthcare and have open conversations about protection and testing, especially for those who are sexually active. Taking proactive steps to protect oneself and seeking regular testing were recommended as crucial measures in combating the spread of syphilis.