Ohio sees increase in syphilis cases

Syphilis in Hamilton County is a growing problem that could get out of control.

Dr. Larry Holditch is the Medical Director of the Cincinnati Health Department and says there are two reasons for the outbreak.

"Providers aren't thinking about syphilis. People are going to the doctor with rashes and some of the symptoms of syphilis and aren't getting diagnosed. If you're not diagnosed than you can spread it to others," Holditch said.

To combat that, the Cincinnati Health Department held two training seminars for medical professionals explaining Syphilis should be on their radar and what to look for.

The second reason is a little more complicated.

"People are actually going on websites to meet partners for sex. And they sometimes not even getting a real name. So that's almost anonymous sex. And we've seen that that is a factor is some of these cases of syphilis," Holditch said.

To put the problem in perspective here the the number of cases in the past few years:
2007-56 cases
2008-70 cases
2009-171 cases

Hamilton County is on track to reach 300 cases by the end 2010.

This week the Cincinnati Health Department assembled the Syphilis Outbreak Mobilization Team. Members will hit the streets in several Cincinnati neighborhoods seeing a high number of syphilis cases offering education, counseling, testing and referrals for treatment.

"Prevention and education on the subject matter is always a great thing," said Malik Showes from Evanston.

Dr. Holditch says practicing safe sex could quickly curb the spread of syphilis. However realistically his team must keep educating and treating.

"It's the start of an outbreak. And whether or not it becomes a major deal depends on how effectively we can deal with it at this point," Holditch said.

To learn more about a free syphilis test, call the Cincinnati Health Department STD testing line at 513-357-7330.

Download the list of Ohio's total of syphilis cases by clicking here (.pdf).