DOH: Uptick in syphilis cases in Hawaii a concern

The number of syphilis cases in women and newborns in Hawaii has increased annually during the past four years, the state Department of Health said Wednesday.

“While we know everyone’s current attention is focused on preventing the spread of COVID-19, we must also pay close attention to syphilis because of the potential health effects, especially for developing babies,” said Dr. Glenn Wasserman, chief of the DOH’s Communicable Disease and Public Health Nursing Division, in a news release. “Syphilis is preventable and easily treatable when diagnosed early.”

According to the Health Department, early cases of syphilis in adults are particularly infectious, while later stages of the disease can lead to significant damage to numerous organs, including the heart and brain.

Pregnant mothers with syphilis also can transmit the disease to their unborn fetus at any stage, causing miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, low birth weight or death before or shortly after birth, the DOH said. Babies born with syphilis can have deformed bones, severe anemia, central nervous system damage and other problems.

Read more: https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2020/10/22/hawaii-news/doh-uptick-in-syphilis-cases-in-hawaii-a-concern/