Syphilis & the Impact of Covid
Lockdowns and isolation restrictions did not stop people from having sexual encounters during Covid. What it did stop was testing and outreach programs from being accessible. And Canada is continuing to see the impact of this in the rising numbers of STIs across the country. Actually, the world is seeing this increase. Canada was in the midst of an STI epidemic well before the Covid pandemic hit and now STIs numbers continue to rise around the world.
Syphilis & The Numbers
Syphilis has been around for centuries. Modern medicine can both treat it and cure it if caught in time. But the numbers are on the rise and have been for a few years. There were 9,382 confirmed cases in Canada in 2020, up from 1,749 in 2011. And some areas of the country are seeing a more drastic increase in numbers than others. According to the Ministry of Health syphilis rates have steadily been rising on the Prairies in recent years and some early data shows the province reported 435 cases of infectious syphilis as of late September 2020, compared to 381 in 2019 and 140 in 2018. STI rates were climbing before Covid. Covid has not helped in slowing that down. Although we all understand the global need for many of the actions taken to manage the spread of Covid, the sudden arrest of STI testing and sexual wellness outreach just exacerbated an issue of already epidemic proportions.
Syphilis & The World
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued an article speaking to the interruption of services that many countries had that resulted in a loss of preventive, testing and treatment services related to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which then has led to a resurgence of STIs globally. They stated that countries with good STI surveillance such as the United States and Canada have reported an increase in at least 3 STIs: syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia.
The numbers are further impacted by the barriers to healthcare around the world for many, specifically ones that affect sexual wellness. In order to offer prevention and treatment, we need to see these barriers removed that impede access to care.
Syphilis: Prevention & Treatment
Syphilis, like any other STI, is transferred during sexual activity. Safer sex practices that include using condoms, oral barriers/dams, testing on a regular basis as per one’s sexual activity dictates, educating people on safer sex practices, testing options, and STIs, along with a social overhaul that removes the stigma and shame surrounding sexual wellness, testing, and talking about STIs, are all ways in promoting sexual wellness and aiding in the reduction of STIs.
Treatment for syphilis is simple when diagnosed and treated in its early stages. Penicillin is the preferred method of treatment unless someone is allergic to it, and then a different antibiotic will be prescribed. Ongoing testing for a timeframe after ensures that you are responding to treatment.
As with all STIs, it is best to be open and honest with your partner(s) so that anyone involved may also be tested. And yes, they may be difficult conversations but they are necessary for treatment, further prevention, and the removal of stigma for moving forward.