Syphilis infections in Ireland are continuing to grow according to the latest report published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (hpsc).
An additional five infections were reported in the week ending August 21, meaning the new 2021 total in Ireland sits at 498.
Although recent attention has been drawn to the number of cases being reported this year, health officials have said figures are actually down by nearly 19% from the same period last year.
The highest level of cases are in the east across Dublin, Kildare, and Wicklow and account for 79% of all infections.
Meanwhile, the HSE said; "There is a potentially large undiagnosed reservoir of syphilis infection in Ireland due in part to the impact of Covid-19.”
They remind the public that "Syphilis is a very treatable sexually transmitted infection (STI) and early recognition and treatment are critical to preventing avoidable morbidity for those infected as well as onward transmission to others.
"If an infection remains untreated, it can cause serious health problems to the heart, brain, eyes and nervous system.”
So on that note, here’s everything you need to know:
Symptoms
The bacterial infection which is generally transmitted during sex, if left untreated can spread to the brain or other parts of the body and cause serious long-term problems - so it’s important to know what to look out for.
The most common symptoms are:
- A non-itchy rash can occur anywhere on the body (often on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet)
- Ulcers
- Flu-like symptoms; tiredness, headaches, joint pains, fever
- Hair loss
- Lymphadenopathy - enlarged lymph nodes
- Painful eyes or blurring of vision
Treatment
Health officials urge anyone who suspects they have syphilis to get tested as soon as possible because the infection will not be cleared on its own.
It can usually be dealt with by a short course of antibiotics, but people should be aware it can be caught more than once.
Prevention
Anyone who is sexually active can catch the infection from a partner who may not be aware they have it themselves.
Some ways to prevent picking it up are using protection, and not sharing sex toys with others.
The HSE has said: "All individuals with newly diagnosed syphilis should be referred to Genitourinary or Infectious Diseases services for assessment, treatment and follow up."
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