(Keep reading: Syphilis in Colombia: what is the outlook for this sexually transmitted disease?)
Precisely last year, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warned about a growing trend in cases of syphilis and congenital syphilis in the region of the Americas, and called on countries and health personnel to intensify the fight against this age-old preventable and curable infection that affects thousands of people each year.
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According to PAHO, an estimated 4.6 million people have syphilis in the region, according to the Epidemiological Review of Syphilis in the Americas released in June 2022. In 2020, countries reported 29,147 cases of congenital syphilis, and preliminary figures reported for 2021 indicated more than 30,000 cases of this infection transmitted from mother to child.
In Colombia, during the same year (2020), 8,987 cases of gestational syphilis were registered in the country with a national prevalence ratio of 14.1 cases per 1,000 live births plus stillbirths, which represents an increase compared to the three previous years, from 74.0% compared to 2017 (5,164 cases), 53.3% compared to 2018 (5,862 cases) and 26.9% compared to 2019 (7,083 cases).
The highest prevalences during 2020 per 1,000 live births plus stillbirths occurred in the territorial entities of Buenaventura (65.2), Barranquilla (64.1), Cartagena (38.0), Arauca (35.0) and Santa Marta (25.5).
In 2020, 8,987 cases of gestational syphilis were registered in the country with a national prevalence ratio of 14.1 cases per 1,000 live births.
In the primary stage, a painless sore called a chancre appears at the site of the initial infection, usually on the genitals, anus, or mouth.
In the secondary stage, rashes, fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle aches, and flu-like symptoms may appear.
In the latent and late stages, symptoms may be absent, but the bacteria remain in the body. and it can cause serious long-term complications, such as nerve damage, heart disease, and blindness.
The treatment of syphilis is based on the administration of antibiotics, generally penicillin or an alternative if there is a risk that the patient has an allergy to penicillin. The type and duration of treatment depend on the stage of the infection.
(Also read: Sexually transmitted diseases: these are the 8 most common pathogens)
In the early stages of syphilis, a single dose of penicillin may be enough. However, in cases of late-onset syphilis or of unknown duration, multiple doses of penicillin may be required over several weeks.
It should be noted that it is important that both the infected person and their sexual partners are evaluated and treated appropriately to prevent transmission and long-term complications.
