LYNCHBURG, Va. - In a concerning trend, cases of syphilis have been steadily increasing in Virginia and throughout the United States over the past several years. According to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), early syphilis cases in the state have risen by 22% during 2023 alone.

Of particular concern is the fact that women who can get pregnant are now becoming infected more frequently than they were a decade ago. Additionally, there has been an alarming rise in the number of babies born with syphilis, a direct consequence of their mothers contracting the disease during pregnancy.

To combat this disturbing trend, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has launched a new webpage dedicated to providing assistance and guidance to Virginians, helping them protect themselves effectively. This webpage aims to educate the public about common syphilis symptoms, risk factors, and treatment recommendations.

Statistics from the VDH indicate that the majority of syphilis cases are typically diagnosed among men, accounting for 84% of cases in 2022. However, there has been a significant increase in the number of cases reported among women, with a staggering rise of 70% between 2018 and 2022. This upward trend aligns with national data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicating a similar surge in syphilis cases nationwide.

It is crucial for individuals to be informed about the signs and symptoms, risk factors, testing options, prevention methods, and available treatment for syphilis. The VDH's newly launched webpage is a comprehensive resource providing detailed information on these aspects.

With syphilis cases at an all-time high, public awareness and preventive measures become even more important. It is imperative for individuals to be informed and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their sexual partners from the transmission of this sexually transmitted infection.

For more information, including an in-depth understanding of signs and symptoms, risk factors, testing options, prevention methods, and treatment recommendations, please visit the VDH's dedicated webpage on syphilis protection (insert hyperlink).

As syphilis cases continue to surge in Virginia and across the nation, initiatives like the VDH's webpage are crucial in disseminating vital information and helping curb the spread of this concerning health issue.