Minnesota Department of Health

News Release

June 20, 2002

Contact information

Increase in syphilis cases prompts warning from state health officials

State health officials are recommending that people take steps to protect themselves, following an apparent increase in new syphilis infections among men who have sex with men.

Sixteen early syphilis infections have been reported in that group since January 2002, compared to just two cases during the same period last year, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). MDH officials are strongly recommending that people who may be at risk get checked for syphilis and practice safer sex.

"Although these overall figures don't represent a large number of cases, we're not going to wait until the end of the year to see if the problem gets worse. This could be just the tip of the iceberg," said Dr. Harry Hull, Minnesota State Epidemiologist. "After several years of declining syphilis numbers, a eight-fold increase among men who have sex with men is alarming, and it means some people are ignoring safer sex guidelines."

Officials believe the increase in cases in Minnesota may reflect a similar trend seen in other parts of the country.

Syphilis can be spread through unprotected oral, anal and vaginal sex. Once detected, it can be treated and cured with antibiotics. However, untreated syphilis can lead to blindness, brain damage, heart problems and even death. In addition, it can also increase the risk of HIV infection.

"The risk of being infected with HIV is two to five times as high if you are already infected with syphilis, " Dr. Hull noted. Half of the early syphilis cases among men who have sex with men in Minnesota, during 2002, have been reported in men who were also infected with HIV.

"Our main message is to get checked if you have had unprotected sex," Dr. Hull said. "You shouldn't wait for symptoms to appear, because they can be easily overlooked - or they may appear on parts of the body where they can't be seen."

People can get tested and treated for syphilis by seeing their own health care provider. Testing and treatment are also available at the Red Door Clinic in Minneapolis or the Room 111 Clinic in St. Paul.

Symptoms of syphilis - if they do appear - may begin with a painless skin ulcer or chancre that shows up 10 to 90 days after exposure. Chancres can develop in the genital area, anus, mouth, throat, or rarely, the fingers. Chancres can easily spread the disease to others.

Left untreated, the disease can progress from the chancre stage into a non-itchy rash. The rash can appear anywhere on the body, or it may be limited to areas like the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet. The rash can also spread the disease.

Other symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle ache, fatigue or swollen lymph glands.

Health officials emphasize that the risk of getting syphilis can be reduced through safer sex practices. Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of spreading syphilis if infected areas are covered by the condom. Latex condoms are also highly effective in preventing HIV transmission. To promote the practice of safer sex, MDH funds several community-based agencies that provide cultural-specific HIV and STD prevention programs for men who have sex with men.

The Minnesota Family Planning & STD Hotline provides toll-free, confidential information about the prevention, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases at 1-800-78-FACTS (voice or TTY).

Information is also available from the Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP) AIDSLine. The MAP AIDSLine offers statewide information and referral services, including prevention education, HIV risk assessments, HIV testing and referrals to HIV testing sites, as well as community resources and prevention programs for men who have sex with men.

Numbers for the MAP AIDSLine are (612) 373-AIDS or (612) 373-2466 (TTY) in the Twin Cities. Statewide, call (800) 248-AIDS or (888) 820-2437 (TTY).

-MDH-

For more information, contact:

Harry Hull, M.D.
MDH State Epidemiologist
(612) 676-5414

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