“Indiana experienced a 70 percent increase in syphilis cases between 2014 and 2015,” said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, MD. “We are continuing to see an increase this year and we are working closely with local health officials and healthcare providers to make sure patients are getting tested and receive treatment.”
In 2015, Indiana reported 285 cases of primary and secondary syphilis and 220 cases of early latent syphilis. In 2014, the state reported 168 cases of primary and secondary syphilis and 129 cases of early latent syphilis. According to information from CDC, the instances of syphilitic infection are increasing nationally.
Indiana health officials are also urging providers to educate patients about the risks of syphilis. Many people infected with the disease do not recognize the condition early on. The infection must be treated with an antibiotic otherwise serious health problems can arise and the condition can be fatal.
More articles on infection control:
Study: Hospital stewardship programs linked to lower antibiotic use, infections
4 essential elements of an OR environmental hygiene program
No link found between safety culture scores and infection rates
