Health sector working on new strategies to prevent syphilis and other STIs – LU20 – Radio Chubut – AM580

The Chubut Provincial Ministry of Health, through the Provincial Department of Epidemiology and Epidemiology, is actively implementing different strategies and health policies aimed at promoting the prevention of syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections (ITS) throughout the province of Chubut.

cases tripled

In this regard, Sebastián Restuccia, Consulting Specialist for the Provincial Program on HIV, STIs and Viral Hepatitis, explains: “In recent years we have observed a significant increase in cases of syphilis in our province and even tripled the number of diagnoses since 2021 to date”, adding that “there are currently 90 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with the age group 20 to 34 being the age group with the highest incidence”.

In this sense, he also states that “syphilis is one of the major sexually transmitted infections that exist today and, contrary to what is commonly believed, it has not been eradicated, but it is an infection that is still present and continues to increase. Cases worldwide quantity.

Cause of infection

“Syphilis is produced by a bacterium called ‘Treponemella pallidum’, which is mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse, contact with fluids,” Restusia points out, recalling, “That’s why it’s so important to use barrier methods, such as the penis and vaginal condoms or latex fields”.

In addition, he said, “This infection can also be transmitted through pregnancy to produce congenital syphilis in infants, for which it is critical that pregnant women maintain proper healthcare control during pregnancy and were studied in three laboratories for three months and include their sexual partners.

On the other hand, the provincial reference states that “syphilis usually presents initially as a lesion called a ‘chancre’ that may appear on the penis, vulva, mouth, or anus.” Then, “even without treatment, this lesion It also usually disappears over time, but even without obvious lesions, the infection remains latent, so the disease continues to progress and the risk of transmission remains,” he explained.

The importance of prevention

“Syphilis is curable, and the treatment is very simple,” Restusia concluded, adding, “We must prevent the spread of this infection, as well as other sexually transmitted infections, through health checks, access to diagnosis. and the barrier approach.” use”.