What do dictator Adolf Hitler, philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, gangster Al Capone and artist Paul Gaugin all have in common? All 4 were suspected of having syphilis and, ultimately, dying due to that infection.
With treatment for syphilis readily available today it is not nearly so common to hear about syphilis causing death. However, Syphilis infection rates are steadily rising in Calgary and throughout Alberta and is specifically a concern within the gay men/MSM (men who have sex with men) community.
The gay men/MSM community currently represents 28% of new syphilis infections in the Calgary Region. According to Alberta Health Services, 218 cases of infectious syphilis were confirmed within the province last year, with several cases still being investigated1.. [1]
Syphilis first appeared in known human history sometime around the 14th to 15th century. Academics theorize that Syphilis first showed up in Europe in 1493, coinciding with Christopher Columbus’ return from the New World.
An effective treatment for syphilis was discovered with the advent of antibiotics but even with effective treatment, we have not managed to completely wipe out the disease. The last spike in rates that many people remember occurred over 30 years ago.
Often thought of now as a disease of the 70’s, we saw rates of syphilis infections plateau in the 90’s. In Alberta, low rates of anywhere between 0.01 and 0.03 per 100,000 were common in the 90’s. Five years ago those rates started to rise. 74 cases in 2004, 147 in 2005, 218 in 2006, and 250 in 2007. It’s official, syphilis is back.
It’s been so long since the last syphilis outbreak that many of us probably don’t even know how to identify syphilis. Here is some handy information on syphilis symptoms, prevention, testing and treatment.
Symptoms
Syphilis may present different symptoms at all three stages of infection. The primary infectious stage may include a single painless sore (ulcer) or multiple painful ulcers in the genital area.
The secondary infectious stages of syphilis may present as a generalized rash commonly found on the palms of hands or soles of feet, and could be accompanied by fever and swollen glands.
If left untreated syphilis could develop into its latent stages leading to serious complications including neurological or cardiovascular damage. Also, syphilis may expose individuals to an increased risk of HIV infection through sores or lesions present around genital areas and mucous membranes.
Prevention
Infectious syphilis can be prevented through engaging in safer sexual practices including condom use for anal and oral sex. Communicating with your partner, negotiating safer sex practices, and getting tested for sexually transmitted infections and HIV on a regular basis are important in maintaining your sexual health.
Testing and Treatment
Infectious syphilis is completely treatable with antibiotics, although easier to treat early on. Since the painless syphilis sore may be difficult to identify, we encourage anyone who is sexually active to get regularly tested for both HIV and STI’s, including syphilis by contacting your family doctor, the Calgary STD Clinic; (403)-955-6700, or Calgary Safeworks; (403)-850-3755, for a syphilis blood test and follow up treatment if required. These services provide free syphilis testing and treatment and do not require identification and/or an Alberta Health Card.
For additional information on syphilis, the AIDS Calgary HEAT Outreach Program provides information to community members through community outreach, online outreach, and educational materials and programs. For further information, us at 403-508-2500x115 or via email at HEAT@aidscalgary.org.
References:
1. Alberta Health and Wellness. February 2009. Sexually Transmitted Infections, January – December 2008, Preliminary Data. Prevention to Alberta Advisory Committee on HIV and STI.
