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Knox County Health Department Issues Syphilis Alert

Posted on: Wednesday, 3 August 2005, 18:00 CDT

A cluster of cases of the sexually transmitted disease syphilis, including at least two discovered in prostitutes, spurred Knox County health officials to issue a communicable-disease alert Wednesday.

The Knox County Health Department has seen five confirmed cases of syphilis in the past 10 days, with a strong connection to people who exchange sex for money or drugs, Dr. Stephanie Hall, public health officer for Knox County, said Wednesday.

"Because of the type of person being infected, we're concerned that this outbreak of syphilis may spread rapidly before we can track down and treat all of the persons who are infected," Hall said.

Some of those infected have had anonymous sexual contacts, Hall said. In turn, those people unknowingly could spread the disease to a spouse or other sexual partner.

The Health Department is working with law enforcement and some community organizations to distribute flyers with information on syphilis and testing. Testing is done at the Health Department. Hall urged anyone who gave or received sex in exchange for money or drugs -- no matter the source -- to be tested. At the Health Department's Communicable Disease Clinic, 140 Dameron Ave., confidentiality will be strictly maintained.

"All testing, any result of testing, and all treatment is free and confidential," Hall said. "We'd rather have people come in if they have any concern at all than to have this disease extended to other persons."

Early-stage syphilis usually manifests in the form of lesions on the genital area. Syphilis is easily treated with antibiotics but can go undiagnosed for long periods of time. If not treated early, syphilis can damage the nervous system and internal organs and cause long-term health problems. Pregnant women can pass syphilis to their fetuses, causing serious problems or death.

Maxine Raines, executive director and founder of Lost Sheep Ministries, a nonprofit Christian organization that reaches out to people who live on the streets, said that in her experience, many prostitutes are "very aware" of STDs and "try to take care of themselves." A few, she said, have complicating issues, such as substance abuse or mental illness.

"Many of them will start treatment (for medical problems), and then they won't finish it," she said. But early-stage syphilis requires only one antibiotic shot.

Raines said Knox County prostitutes will be concerned that the communicable disease alert will affect their livelihood.

"That's what they do, you know," Raines said. "It's a job, like you have a job."

Hall said this is the first time the Health Department has issued a communicable disease alert about syphilis.

"Sending out a public notice, so that anyone who may have exchanged money for sex gets the message, is almost the only way we can address this problem," said Mark Jones, director of the Health Department.

Knox County typically sees 20 or fewer cases of syphilis a year. Twenty-six cases have been reported so far this year. In 2004, an outbreak among men who had sex with men resulted in a higher-than- usual number also.

For confidential information on testing, call 865-215-5273.

Kristi L. Nelson may be reached at 865-342-6434. She is health writer for the News Sentinel.

FACTS ABOUT SYPHILIS

* Caused by bacterium passed from person to person through direct contact with syphilis sore during vaginal, oral or anal sex

* Pregnant women can pass to their fetuses, causing stillbirth or serious health complications

* Cannot be spread through contact with toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, eating utensils

* May not be diagnosed for long periods of time

* If not treated early, can damage brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints

* Increases the risk of HIV infection twofold to fivefold

* Treated with single injection of penicillin if infected less than a year

* Not treatable by home remedies, over-the-counter drugs

* Free, confidential testing and treatment: Knox County Health Department Communicable Disease Clinic, 140 Dameron Ave., 865-215- 5273

Sources: Knox County Health Department; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Source: News Sentinel

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