Gov. Josh Green, a physician, and other health officials in Hawaii stated on Wednesday that more screening and treatment are required to address the rising number of syphilis cases among pregnant women and babies.
In a press release, the Department of Health stated that the rising number of women with congenital disorders is concerning and warrants prompt treatment.
Between 2000 and 2019, there were zero to four occurrences of newborns born with congenital syphilis, and there were 20 cases in 2021.
According to preliminary data, there were at least 22 cases last year, a sharp increase in instances linked to rising infections in adults.
Syphilis and other STIs should be routinely tested for in all sexually active adults with risk factors, according to a statement from Dr. Diana Felton, head of the Department of Health’s Communicable Disease and Public Health Nursing Division.
We now advise screening for syphilis three times in pregnant women: as early as feasible in the first trimester, between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, and at the time of birth.
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Syphilis Diagnosis and Prevention Measures
To avoid reinfection, she continued, it is crucial that sexual partners receive treatment as well.
The agency is advocating increased screening in medical encounters other than prenatal care because the majority of congenital syphilis cases in Hawaii have been recorded in people who got delayed or no prenatal care.
When infections are identified early on and treatment is started right once, the devastating effects of untreated syphilis can be avoided.
Syphilis can be diagnosed, treated, and congenital syphilis can be prevented by going to emergency departments, urgent care centers, and primary care clinics.
The health department is also warning medical professionals to be attentive in checking for syphilis cases in women who are or may become pregnant as well as in those who are already pregnant.
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Source: www.foxnews.com