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The Houston Health Department (HHD) has urged expectant mothers to get tested for syphilis to keep themselves and their unborn babies safe following a surge in cases among women. The HHD said syphilis infections rose 128%, along with a nine-fold rise in congenital syphilis in the city and Harris County.
"It is crucial for pregnant women to seek prenatal care and syphilis testing to protect themselves from an infection that could result in the deaths of their babies,” Marlene McNeese Ward, Deputy Assistant Director for HHD's Bureau of HIV/STI and Viral Hepatitis Prevention, said in a July 13 press release. “A pregnant woman needs to get tested for syphilis three times during her pregnancy.”
HHD figures show that new infections increased by 57%, jumping from 1,845 in 2019 to 2,905 last year, prompting the department to launch a rapid outreach response to counter the spread of the illness, the release said.
Syphilis infects people who are sexually active and can cause severe complications if it isn’t treated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Syphilis is transmitted from person to person, but not through casual contact or with objects like toilet seats and doorknobs, the CDC said.
Pregnant women should undergo testing at their first prenatal visit, during the third trimester and at delivery, the HHD said The department said it’ll waive all clinical fees for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at its facilities.
Antibiotics can treat syphilis, but a lack of adequate treatment could worsen the infection, HHD said. Symptoms of syphilis include a rash, fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches and fatigue, the release noted.
Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that syphilis patients are susceptible to getting infected with HIV, citing the HHD. The station said people can visit the department’s website or call (832) 393-5010 for information on testing sites and on syphilis itself.