WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) – The well being division says when some folks consider syphilis, they consider it as an previous illness however latest numbers from the state well being division says in any other case.  

Deputy Director Chris Steward mentioned 92 constructive instances had been reported in 2021, in contrast with simply 4 instances in 2013 and 42 in 2017.   

She attributes one cause for the rise being lack of entry to healthcare throughout COVID.  

“There are social elements so people who find themselves who cannot get transportation to healthcare they do not have means for prescriptions they do not know the place to go,” mentioned Steward.   

Steward additionally provides dangerous behaviors like unprotected intercourse additionally play an element.  

Wichita’s Constructive Instructions Government Director Brett Hogan mentioned his facility is seeing particular varieties of instances.  

“The rise of injection medication in addition to fentanyl since syphilis can cross by means of the blood we’re seeing tons and tons of extra instances,” mentioned Hogan.

Syphilis is one thing you’ll be able to have and never know it’s there. 

Some signs are rashes on the palm of your arms and ft or painless sores.  

Hogan mentioned syphilis can simply be misdiagnosed by medical doctors and if untreated, it might trigger extreme harm.  

“It will get into the your spinal wire and the spinal system strikes itself up into the mind the place the micro organism that is a number of micro organism in your system simply rising and multiplying,” added Hogan.  

Whereas Sedgwick County is working to assist cease the unfold of syphilis by means of varied sources like educating sufferers and providing testing, Steward mentioned they’re most involved about infants being born with the illness.  

“We’re most involved about that as a result of you’ll be able to have low start charge infants, infants will be nonetheless born which suggests they die earlier than they’re born and so they may have abnormalities,” mentioned Steward.  

Syphilis is one thing that may be handled with antibiotics however sadly, the nerve harm it might doubtlessly trigger is unable to be undone.  

For extra  details about Syphilis and how one can get examined, click on right here.