When people hear the word syphilis, it certainly doesn’t spark a conversation that they think they are going to like at all. 

Nationally, there’s been an uptick in syphilis cases and health officials here say in many ways, Houston is no different when it comes to what’s happening in many major urban areas across the country right now.

Houston has a syphilis problem which is getting worse and this really got our attention because the health department says there has been a whopping 128% increase in syphilis cases in women.

There were 674 cases reported last year. That’s compared to 295 cases reported just four years ago.

The data shows millions of people who may be at risk since 2016 syphilis cases in women have increased by 128%. New infections rose from 1845 in 2019 to nearly 3000. In 2022 cases involving women who passed the infection on to their baby during pregnancy.

Soaring from 16 cases in 2016 to 151 in 2021 to see the numbers rise in this alarming rate really sounded the alarm for us.

The health department attributes that rise largely to pregnant women who are passing the bacteria onto their babies.

They have recommended getting tested for syphilis at their first prenatal visit, then at the third trimester, and at delivery. 

An early case will usually present as a painless sore that’s easily treated with an antibiotic. But without treatment, it can progress to the point of internal organ damage.

Houston health officials urging pregnant women to seek prenatal care and syphilis testing and other STD testing to protect themselves from an infection that could result in the death of their babies untreated syphilis during pregnancy can result in a stillbirth.

A number of medical directors from some of the community-based health clinics, attended that meeting here on 15th July, at the Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center along with members of the Harris County and for county health Departments of all the cases.

Houston health officials are seeing it’s predominantly women of color who were most impacted.

Syphilis can’t be diagnosed by symptoms alone. And that’s why testing in the lab for syphilis is the key. Thus, it’s really important to go find out, if you are negative or positive. And if you feel you’re at this risk, then ask your provider or find out an STD testing clinic in Houston here.