Syphilis cases in Cape Breton causing concern
Some health organizations in Cape Breton are concerned about a cluster of syphilis cases on the island and are urging anyone who believes they have symptoms of the disease to get tested.
The head of the Ally Centre of Cape Breton, which provides support services for people with sexually transmitted infections or who are at risk of contracting one, said the non-profit was contacted by the Department of Health about the number of positive tests it was seeing.
"When we were told that public health was seeing numbers come through we then informed people that if they are practising unprotected sex to get tested," said Christine Porter, the Ally Centre's executive director.
'Effective treatment'
Dr. Jennifer Cram, a medical officer of health with the province, would not say how many cases of syphillis there have been, but she had the same message as Porter.
"It's important that if people think they have syphilis they get tested because there is a very effective treatment," she said.
Symptoms of the disease range in severity, depending on the stage of the infection. Painful or tender lesions on he genitals are usually the first signs. Hair loss, a rash, swollen glands and muscle and joint pain may also occur. The infection can progress to include a reddish pink rash on the torso and extremitieis, wart-like lesions and tumour-like inflammation on parts of the body.
Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics but if left untreated can cause death, said Cram.
Cram said those most at risk are people who have unprotected sex or are involved in sex work, and men having sex with men. She said most cases of syphilis are among people in their 20s.
Growing demand for tests
The Ally Centre has a free clinic that provides anonymous testing for sexually transmitted infections. It recently increased its hours because of the high demand.
Porter said the vulnerable people who are clients of Ally Centre face many barriers in accessing health care. The free clinic helps them get testing they might not otherwise request.
"It's not like a sex worker, for instance, will approach their family physician and disclose to them that they are a sex worker and they are experiencing something related to that profession," said Porter.
