Syphilis cases on the rise in Onslow County - Jacksonville Daily News
The number of syphilis cases reported in Onslow County has steadily increased over the past few years, according to 2020 data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
"Throughout North Carolina in 2020, there has been an increase in infants reported to have congenital syphilis and the numbers of syphilis diagnosis in women have increased," said Kimberly Collins, BSN, communicable disease nursing supervisor with the Onslow County Health Department. "The highest rates of newly diagnosed early syphilis in North Carolina occurred among 25- to 29-year-olds, with a case rate of 70 per 100,000 persons, followed by 30- to 34-year-olds and then 20- to 24-year-olds."
In Onslow County specifically, the annual case rate for syphilis rose from 12.8 per 100,000 people in 2019 to 17.7 per 100,000 in 2020. The county is now ranked 27th in the state for new early syphilis cases, an increase from 34th in the state over previous years.
According to that same data from the NCDHHS and CDC, new cases of other sexually transmitted diseases, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV/AIDs, have decreased across the state, including Onslow County.
"This is likely due to undetected cases due to the pandemic and less individuals seeking care," Collins explained.
NCDHHS and the CDC said the total number of sexually transmitted infections for 2020 may not reflect the true prevalence of various infections, Collins continued, and it's suspected the number of cases may be higher than what the data is showing due to COVID-19 and reduced medical visits.
Because of those decreased medical visits and more attention paid to COVID-19, people who are infected with a sexually transmitted disease may not be receiving diagnosis and treatment, especially since many may experience no symptoms.
"This lack of care results in skewed data and increases the likelihood that those with a current infection will not receive treatment and may unknowingly pass the infection on to others," Collins said.
Syphilis is treatable with early detection. However, getting treatment during later stages of the disease may not undo any damage that has already been done to the body, Collins cautioned.
"Without treatment, syphilis can spread to the brain, nervous system, or eyes," she added.
Homosexual men are among the most vulnerable to infections like syphilis, according to the data from NCDHHS and CDC. Men who reported having sex with men accounted for 52.8% of newly diagnosed early syphilis cases in North Carolina in 2020, Collins said.
To help combat this, Collins said the health department is working to strengthen relationships and partnerships with LGBTQ+ organizations in the community to help distribute condoms and information. One organization has also purchased a billboard to help promote HIV testing.
The Health Department is proactively working to prevent future STD infections in a number of ways, including providing free condoms to patients upon request and informing patients of safe sex practices, when applicable to their individual situation and risk factors.
"We also offer expedited partner therapy (EPT) for chlamydia infection, which allows anyone tested and treated in the STD clinic for chlamydia to leave with a 'Partner Kit' for sexual partners they report having within the past 60 days," Collins said. The kit includes medication for treatment of chlamydia, as well as medication information indicating any side effects to taking the medicine, a treatment fact sheet, a pamphlet on chlamydia and other STD/HIV facts, and condoms.
The health department's communicable disease staff also sends out updates to Onslow County medical providers whenever treatment guidelines for any STD are updated by NCDHHS.
"This ensures that clients who do test positive are being treated with the most effective treatment method, which decreases risk of transmission and reduces the risk of drug-resistant bacteria," Collins said.
Other programs are in the works to help lower the instances of sexually transmitted diseases in Onslow County. The community outreach team at the health department has been working on a pilot program called "Cuts for Condoms," which would provide free condoms in local barber shops around the county.
The health department also relies on word of mouth in the community, hoping patients seen at one of the clinics will communicate to their friends and family members about the services provided and the risks of having unprotected sex.
In addition, the health department has a sexually transmitted disease clinic, specifically for treatment and screening. The clinic takes appointments Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays and weekends. Many of the tests are free of charge, but some have a small fee.
Same day appointments are available. To make an appointment, call 910-347-2154. To learn more about syphilis, visit cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis.htm
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