California's rising syphilis cases prompts warning to get tested
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- Syphilis infections are surging across the U.S., with several California counties reporting particularly high rates, prompting urgent calls for widespread testing among sexually active individuals and pregnant women.
- Nationwide, syphilis cases have sharply increased over the past decade, with congenital syphilis rising by 700%, causing severe complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and lifelong health issues.
- California counties like Fresno, Sacramento, and Kern report the highest syphilis rates among women aged 15 to 44, exceeding federal targets; Los Angeles and San Francisco also have elevated rates.
- Syphilis progresses in stages and can be difficult to detect early due to often painless symptoms; untreated infections can cause severe health problems or death, but early detection and antibiotic treatment are effective.
- The CDC aims to reduce syphilis rates among women of reproductive age by 2030 and recommends routine and repeat testing in high-risk areas to prevent transmission, especially congenital cases.
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