Syphilis cases on the rise
Syphilis cases on the rise
Copyright by Gay Chicago Magazine
CHICAGO - Chicago Department of Public Health officials are concerned about a rise in syphilis cases in 2005 that reverses a downward trend first seen in 2002.
New data released by CDPH shows infectious (primary and secondary) syphilis cases have increased substantially compared to 2004, largely due to a rise in cases among men who have sex with men (MSM). This development marks the second significant upturn of syphilis cases in Chicago’s MSM community within the past five years.
Preliminary figures for 2005 show 412 reported infectious syphilis cases in the city of Chicago, representing a 39 percent increase from 2004. Almost three-quarters (74 percent) of 2005’s documented cases were within the MSM community, a marked increase from 2004 when this figure was 54 percent of the total. More than half (52 percent) of 2005’s cases among MSM occurred in HIV-positive men.
While syphilis can be cured with penicillin, lack of proper treatment can lead to serious health consequences, including neurological damage, blindness, dementia and permanent damage to other vital organs. CDPH recommends that sexually active MSM should be tested for syphilis twice a year as part of a routine sexual health checkup. Sexually active HIV-positive MSM should be tested every three months during primary healthcare visits.
For more information, call the State of Illinois HIV/STD Hotline at 800-243-2437 or visit www.GetTested Chicago.com.
Copyright by Gay Chicago Magazine
CHICAGO - Chicago Department of Public Health officials are concerned about a rise in syphilis cases in 2005 that reverses a downward trend first seen in 2002.
New data released by CDPH shows infectious (primary and secondary) syphilis cases have increased substantially compared to 2004, largely due to a rise in cases among men who have sex with men (MSM). This development marks the second significant upturn of syphilis cases in Chicago’s MSM community within the past five years.
Preliminary figures for 2005 show 412 reported infectious syphilis cases in the city of Chicago, representing a 39 percent increase from 2004. Almost three-quarters (74 percent) of 2005’s documented cases were within the MSM community, a marked increase from 2004 when this figure was 54 percent of the total. More than half (52 percent) of 2005’s cases among MSM occurred in HIV-positive men.
While syphilis can be cured with penicillin, lack of proper treatment can lead to serious health consequences, including neurological damage, blindness, dementia and permanent damage to other vital organs. CDPH recommends that sexually active MSM should be tested for syphilis twice a year as part of a routine sexual health checkup. Sexually active HIV-positive MSM should be tested every three months during primary healthcare visits.
For more information, call the State of Illinois HIV/STD Hotline at 800-243-2437 or visit www.GetTested Chicago.com.
posted by Carlos T Mock at 8:16 PM
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