Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Release Date:             August 6, 2008         End Date:       August 31, 2008

Contact Person:          Mark Valacak

Community Health Director

Genesee County Health Department

Phone:                         (810) 257-3812

RE:                              Syphilis Outbreak Update

Syphilis continues to be spread among Genesee County residents, infecting an unusually large number of people. The Genesee County Health Department (GCHD) urges anyone who thinks that he or she may have had symptoms of syphilis in the past or currently has symptoms of syphilis to be tested. It is important to get tested because the most noticeable symptoms of syphilis, which include painless sores or rashes, disappear over time, but the infection remains in the body and can cause long term damage to vital organs and even death. A pregnant woman infected with syphilis can pass it to her unborn baby causing birth defects or infant death. Syphilis is detected by a simple blood test and is curable by antibiotics.

Health care providers can assess a patient’s risk for syphilis and conduct testing. Additionally, the GCHD offers confidential testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including syphilis, at the Adult and Teen Clinic at the McCree Courts and Human Services Center at 630 S. Saginaw St., Flint, MI 48502. It is a walk-in clinic that offers STD and HIV testing, counseling, and education, and offers free condoms on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 7:45 am-11 am and 12:45 pm-4 pm, and on Tuesdays from 12:45 pm-4 pm only.

Those who should be screened for syphilis include:

·         anyone with past or present signs or symptoms of syphilis,

·         anyone who has had sexual contact with someone with signs or symptoms of syphilis,

·         anyone with risky behaviors, including substance abuse, unprotected sex, or multiple partners, or

·         anyone who tests positive for another STD or has signs or symptoms of another STD.

So far in 2008, a total of 70 cases of syphilis have been reported in Genesee County. This represents an increase of more than 400% compared to 2007. This rise in syphilis is unique to Genesee County. Other areas within Michigan have not seen such dramatic increases in syphilis cases.

For more information about syphilis and other STDs please call (810) 257-3887 or visit the GCHD website at www.gchd.us.

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