Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Information Bulletin #17 - February 2003
In addition, most of these sexually active men, who were obviously not using condoms, also had HIV. Guys who live in Manhattan as well as white men in general had the biggest increases in cases of reported syphilis.
There could be other undiagnosed cases as well, especially among people who don't see doctors or visit a health clinic on a regular basis. Syphilis can cause heart and nervous system problems, including neurosyphilis (in the brain). Syphilis also greatly increases the risk of infecting other people with HIV, or getting infected with HIV.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The Callen Lorde Community Health Center, and The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) recently completed a study to examine risk factors associated with syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM). The most prominent risk factors for syphilis included HIV infection and unprotected anal intercourse with multiple partners.
Other high risk factors included drug use prior to sex, recruiting sex partners at private sex parties, clubs and bathhouses, and sex with anonymous partners. According to the researchers who conducted the study, 92% of study participants who were HIV-infected reported knowingly engaging in behaviors that put others at risk for HIV as well as syphilis.
Syphilis is serious, but curable and preventable. Left untreated, however, syphilis can result in serious health consequences. In most cases, syphilis is easily cured with a single injection of penicillin. Penicillin will also stop syphilis infection in exposed persons who have not yet developed symptoms.
Free, confidential sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening and testing are available on a walk-in basis at any of NYC DOHMH's STD clinics located in each of the five boroughs (call 212-427-5120 or visit nyc.gov/health/std). A visit to the clinic can take as little as twenty minutes. All information collected is CONFIDENTIAL. Free HIV testing and counseling are also available.
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