Syphilis is rapidly rising in Stanislaus County, officials are worried

The return of Syphilis in Stanislaus County

Pregnant women transfer syphilis

There are cases of syphilis among women and babies spreading like wildfire in Stanislaus County. As recorded with women of child-bearing age, the Health Services Agency officials reported over one hundred cases of syphilis in Stanislaus County. In the past five years, there has been an increase in sexually transmitted infections in both male and female as with the consistent trend across the country.

Contrastingly, in 2013 women who have reached child-bearing-age accounted for less than twenty cases of infection. Last year, these health officials worried about the number of newborns with syphilis infection. A Stanislaus County official Dr. Julie Vaishampayan was quoted to have said; 'We had fifteen cases last year and should have zero.

When we get syphilis in women, the infection is in babies too, and that is the problem.' There County's efforts to control STDs were detailed in a yearly report on public health issues and shared with the Health Services Agency's Board of Supervisors. Although the rise of syphilis in the 1980s can't be compared to what is obtainable now, it's a record low in California.

In 2017, Stanislaus County recorded incidences of early latent, primary and secondary stages of syphilis, which were about 25 cases per 100,000 people. This trend was different from 3 cases per 100,000 women and men in 2012. From 2015 to 2016, syphilis infection survey reports showed an increase in 36 percent among women, and congenital syphilis recorded a 28 percent increase.

 

Why is there prevailing spread of STDs?

The activities of online dating sites have not helped STD prevention or treatment. Rather medical experts have warned of the dreaded versions of STDs (gonorrhea and syphilis) are as a result of online dating platforms. Despite the advocacy for private STD testing, better STI detection techniques, and less public spending for STD clinics are a boost to the new wave of infections.

More so, the practice of unprotected sex by bisexual, adolescent and gay people is triggering the prevalent rate of STD rates. There are private STD testing centers that help infected people detect early signs of syphilis. Three weeks after sexual intercourse, if you see fresh sores on the areas of your genitals, don't hesitate to visit the clinic.

Dr. Vaishampayan said the County's priority is to strengthen ties with health providers and ensure early testing of pregnant women. This collaboration between health service providers and the County's health department closes loopholes in diagnosing and treating syphilis. With proper STD treatment plans, an expectant mother will not transmit infections to her unborn infant.

More so, with increased awareness about the effects of STI, Stanislaus County will test and treat infected female inmates in jails across the region. When these inmates have been released, the county public health department will ensure they complete their treatment plan.