The NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 chief public health officer is urging residents to get tested for syphilis.

An outbreak of the bacterial infection in the territory is growing at an alarming rate that is SA国际影视传媒渃onsistently and significantly higher than the national average.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淪yphilis is a treatable infection that usually spreads through unprotected oral, genital or anal sex with an infected person. The infection can also be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy,SA国际影视传媒� the Department of Health stated. SA国际影视传媒淭he first sign of infection is usually a painless sore on the genitals, anus, or inside of the mouth that usually goes away and is easy to miss. Left untreated, syphilis can cause serious health problems, or even death.SA国际影视传媒�

Going back to Aug. 22, 2019, the chief public health officer had declared a syphilis outbreak in the NWT after having seen a dramatic increase in rates since Jan. 1, 2019. According to information from the Department of Health on July 19, 2022, syphilis rates in the territory increased 253 per cent between Jan. 1, 2019 to April 1, 2022.

Between Jan. 1, 2021 and August 3, 2021, there were 37 reported cases of syphilis, with the majority (78 per cent) of those cases in Yellowknife, representing a SA国际影视传媒渟ignificant rate increase.SA国际影视传媒�

Only Manitoba, Nunavut, Saskatchewan have higher rates of the infection, the Government of CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 Public Health Agency stated.

As of July 19, 2022, rapid tests were brought in to the NWT to combat the outbreak. The tests SA国际影视传媒渞equire only a simple finger-prick blood sample and show results within 15 minutes, instead of requiring a physician to order bloodwork to be completed in a lab,SA国际影视传媒� according to the Department of Health.

Outbreak affects young people

SA国际影视传媒淥ne of the NWT cases included a newborn that was diagnosed with congenital syphilis,SA国际影视传媒� the department reported. SA国际影视传媒淭his is the first case of congenital syphilis in NWT since 2009 and occurs when a mother passes the syphilis infection on to her baby during pregnancy. It can cause very serious health issues, including stillbirth, neonatal death or severe chronic health conditions.SA国际影视传媒�

Those infected have an increased risk of contracting or spreading HIV.

Antibiotic treatment can cure syphilis, preventing worse, long-term results.

SA国际影视传媒淣ot every infected person will have symptoms. The only way to know definitively whether you have syphilis is to get tested,SA国际影视传媒� the Department of Health advised.

How to prevent spread

If sexually active, the department recommends that you:

-Use condom protection

-Limit and know your sexual partners

-Get tested for syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections every time you have a new sexual partner. If you are not in a monogamous relationship, you should get tested more often.

SA国际影视传媒淚f you are pregnant, you should be tested for syphilis at least three times: in the first trimester, at 28-30 weeks and around the time of delivery. If you are thinking about getting pregnant, it is strongly recommended that you take a syphilis test first.SA国际影视传媒�