NSW Health is urging people across the community to get a sexual health check-up following a rise in syphilis infections across the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast regions.
Since January 2020, the North Coast has seen an increase in syphilis notifications, with between 17 and 22 cases reported in the first six months of the year, up from an average of 11 notifications for the same period from 2015 to 2019. This increase is being seen in a higher number of young heterosexuals than expected.
Manager Sexual Health for North Coast Public Health Unit, Jenny Heslop, is encouraging all sexually active people, particularly those who have multiple sexual partners or participate in unprotected casual sex, to talk to their GP or Sexual Health Service, get tested and seek treatment, even if they are not experiencing symptoms.
“Condoms are an important protection tool against sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and people must realise any sex without a condom could expose them to STIs, many of which have no symptoms,” Ms Heslop said.
Syphilis is an STI which can cause serious health problems if left untreated. However, it is easily curable, if detected.
Similar to other STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, syphilis does not always cause symptoms. Regular STI check-ups are needed to prevent passing the infection on to other people and to avoid long-term health consequences.
“Although men continue to account for a significant number of syphilis infections locally, the number of cases in women of reproductive age has been increasing,” Ms Heslop said. Infectious syphilis has increased in NSW women over the past 5 years.
Testing is particularly important early in pregnancy, as pregnant women with untreated syphilis can pass the infection on to their baby, increasing the risk of stillbirth, premature birth, and life-long disability.
Confidential, free STI testing is available from your GP or local Sexual Health Clinics at Tweed Heads, Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey or Port Macquarie.
For sexual health support and information, call the NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 (weekdays 9am to 5.30pm), go to www.shil.nsw.gov.au or visit NSW Health’s Play Safe website at https://playsafe.health.nsw.gov.au