San Diego County public health officials are reminding those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant to talk to their health care provider about getting screened for syphilis, officials said Tuesday.
Cases of babies born with syphilis have increased in San Diego County, reaching a record 35 in 2022, according to new data from county public health officials.
Syphilis is a contagious bacterial infection that can be spread through sexual contact or from a mother to a baby during pregnancy. That version is called congenital syphilis and can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, major health problems in babies and even death if not treated, according to Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, group communications officer for the county.
The county’s number of congenital syphilis cases in 2022 is up from 30 in 2021 and includes two stillbirths. Since 2013, the rate of congenital syphilis has increased by almost 1,200%, Halvorson said. Cases of syphilis in women of potential childbearing age, between 15 to 49 years, have also increased from 369 in 2021 to 424 cases in 2022.
“You can protect your baby by getting tested during your first prenatal visit to your doctor and during your third trimester visit, and then getting treatment during your pregnancy if you do have syphilis,” County Public Health Officer Wilma Wooten said. “It’s important to get tested because you can have syphilis and not know it and unfortunately pass it on to your baby.”
Syphilis symptoms can be mild or feel like symptoms for other health problems. It can be treated with antibiotics, even during pregnancy, Halvorson said.
Sexual partners of a person with syphilis should also be tested and treated, officials said.
Syphilis in babies causes bone abnormalities, severe anemia, enlarged livers or spleens, and brain and nerve problems such as loss of vision or hearing.
Overall, syphilis cases, including congenital syphilis, have steadily risen nationwide since the early 2000s with the exception of a slight decrease from 2021 to 2022, Halvorson said.
Resources for syphilis and other STD testing are available at county public health centers.
— City News Service