Get $200 with your 1st order. Same day blood tests, next day results. Google reviews

Private MD News

Home | News | Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Syphilis cases rise in Alaskan population centers

Category: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

A marked rise in syphilis cases has been tracked in Alaskan cities like Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Juneau and Fairbanks. The rates of the disease are predominately in men who live in the region with a median age of 35.

Urban populations with syphilis
Between January 2011 and June 2013, nearly 50 cases of syphilis were reported to the Alaska Department of Health. These cases were all in the categories of adult primary, secondary and early latent syphilis. Eighty-five percent of the cases of the sexually transmitted disease were in men, and 80 percent of those cases were in men who have sex with men. There were seven cases of syphilis in women in the group, according to KDLG.

To help fight the outbreak, the state's health department tracked sexual partners of those diagnosed with the disease and urged them to have STD testing. Early STD tests can allow for treatment to begin, which reduces the adverse side effects of the disease.

Syphilis cases
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can be spread through sexual contact between the genitals, mouth and anus. Syphilis infections generally begin as a painless sore on the affected area. After this stage, it can be difficult to track the disease, since it can often lie dormant for decades. However, if left untreated, the disease can progress into later stages, where it can severely damage the heart, lungs and brain, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The primary stage of syphilis is the painless sore. Many people do not notice it, as it is small and heals on its own within several weeks. Though it is easy to miss the disease by a visual inspection, a lab test online can show whether the disease is present.

Secondary syphilis can include a body-wide rash that begins on the trunk. This rash can spread across the entire body, including the palms and the soles of feet. Often painless, this stage of the disease's progression may include warts as well. After this stage, the disease can become latent.

In the tertiary stage of syphilis, which occurs in 15 to 30 percent of cases, the disease can spread to damage many parts of the body, ranging from the brain to the nervous system. These problems can occur years after the initial infection.

Related Articles from Private MD:

News Categories:

Advanced Lipid Treatment I   Allergy Testing   Anemia and RBC disorders   Autoimmune Diseases   Bariatric Lab Testing   Blood and Blood Diseases   Breast   Cancer Detection and Tumor Markers   Celiac Disease Testing   Chlamydia   Coagulation and blood clotting disorders   Colon   DNA, Paternity and Genetic testing   Diabetes   Drug Screening   Environmental Toxin Testing   Female Specific Tests   Gastrointestinal Diseases   General Health   General Wellness   HIV   HIV monitoring/Treatment/Testing/Post Diagnos   Heart Health and Cholesterol   Herpes   Hormones and Metabolism   Infectious Diseases   Infertility Testing-Male   Infertitlity Hormone Testing   Kidney Diseases   Leukemia and WBC disorders   Liver   Liver Diseases   Lyme Disease   Male Specific Tests   Menopause/Peri-Menopausal Diagnosis   Musculoskeletal Diseases   Nicotine Screening   Organ Specific Testing   Ovarian   Prostate   Prostate   Sexually Transmitted Diseases   Thyroid Diseases   Transgender Hormone Testing-Male to Female   Transgender Hormone Testing-female to male   Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment   

Visit the Health News Archive: Click Here

Questions about online blood testing or how to order a lab test?

Speak with our Wellness Team: (877) 283-7882
Back to top