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Cause:
Spirochete
Treponema pallidum.
Illness and treatment:
The disease has four stages. Primary syphilis
involves a painless ulcer at the site of infection.
Secondary syphilis involves fever, diffuse rash,
headache, hair loss, and muscle aches. Early latent and
late/late latent syphilis, which are infections acquired
in the past, can result in damage to the brain, heart, or
other organs. Congenital syphilis may result in organ
damage and bone deformities. Antibiotics treat the infection
but organ damage is permanent.
Sources:
Syphilis is sexually transmitted or acquired before birth.
Additional risks:
Risk for syphilis is
higher among men who have sex with men.
Prevention:
Use safe sexual practices to
reduce transmission.
Recent Washington trends:
Rates have
increased since 1996, when 9 cases were reported. Recently
over 150 primary and secondary cases have been reported
annually. Rates are higher among males.
2008:
181 cases of primary and
secondary syphilis were reported (2.7 cases/100,000
population).
To view the most recent morbidity report
on reported syphilis cases see the link below:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/STD/morbidity.htm
Purpose of Reporting and
Surveillance
- To assess trends in epidemic
patterns, understand the impact of the burden of disease on
populations, the health care infrastructure, and to better
target population-level disease prevention efforts
- To assure the adequate treatment
of infected individuals in order to reduce the duration of
infectiousness and prevent sequelae of infection. (e.g.,
neurosyphilis, gumma)
- To identify cases in a timely
fashion in order to interrupt the chain of infection through
patient-level interventions such as management of sexual
contacts and behavioral risk reduction counseling
Legal Reporting Requirements
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Health care
providers: notifiable to local health jurisdiction
within 3 work days
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Hospitals:
notifiable to local health jurisdiction within 3 work
days
-
Laboratories:
notifiable to local health jurisdiction within 2 work
days, specimen submission required to State Public
Health Laboratory or Public Health, Seattle & King
County laboratory
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Local health
jurisdictions: notify the Washington State Department of
Health (DOH), STD Services Section within 7 days of case
investigation completion; summary information required
within 21 days for all reported cases
Last
guideline update
November 2009 |
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