Syphilis cases increase in Virginia: VDH introduces new resource page

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Cases of syphilis have been increasing in Virginia and across the country for the past several years. During 2023, early syphilis cases have increased by 22% in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

According to VDH, women who can get pregnant are now becoming infected more often than they were 10 years ago, and more babies are born with syphilis after their mothers had syphilis while pregnant.

VDH has created a new webpage offering help for Virginians to better protect themselves while learning about common Syphilis symptoms, risk factors, and treatment recommendations.

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Most TES cases are diagnosed among men – 84% in 2022 – but cases among women are on the rise, increasing by 70% from 2018-2022. The rise follows similar trends based on national data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Lynchburg, Danville, and Campbell County are among the localities where the rate is high enough that VDH recommends sexually active folks get screened.

More information about signs and symptoms, risk and testing, prevention, and treatment can be found HERE.