Rising syphilis rates have prompted an alert from the Timiskaming Health Unit (THU).
In the advisory issued Friday (Sept. 9), the health unit warns it expects more cases in the coming months due to the current trend.
Cases of congenital syphilis — when a baby's born with the virus after being infected in the womb or during birth — have also been reported in Northern Ontario. The advisory explains that this often happens if the birth parent was untreated or unaware of their infection.
"If you are pregnant, it's important to consult with your health care provider about testing. Anyone who is pregnant should be tested. The testing is critical to prevent spreading syphilis to the baby," said Dr. Glenn Corneil, THU acting medical officer of health and CEO, in the news release.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection spread through direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal or oral sex, explains the health unit. Early symptoms include ulcers at the exposure site that may appear up to three weeks after the exposure. Rashes on the palms and feet and fever are other symptoms.
The health unit encourages people to use condoms and other barriers to help prevent the virus. Condoms and other resources are available for free at the health unit offices.
"Anyone who has had unprotected sex with new or multiple partners should seek confidential free syphilis testing from THU or from their health care provider," reads the news release.
More information is available here.
