CLEVELAND — Syphilis cases are on the rise in Northeast Ohio and health officials are urging the public to take precautions by using protection and getting tested regularly.

It’s not a topic people often bring up at the dinner table, and many aren’t likely to openly admit that they have an STD, especially syphilis. But the reality is that many people are infected and some still don’t know they have it.

“I think there’s a lot of stigma when it comes to sexually transmitted infections, in general people don’t want to talk about it,” said Alisha Cassady, an epidemiologist with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.

Whether we talk about it or not, syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection, has been around for quite a while. Health officials across the state say they are seeing an increase in cases and believe it could be due to a variety of factors.

“Maybe people have more partners and meet more often. Many of our cases are occurring in people between the ages of 18 and 29,” said Vinh Trinh, an epidemiologist with the Cleveland Department of Public Health.

“Basically what it comes down to is that there is more syphilis in the community, so it’s easier to get it and it’s easier to get away with through sexual contact,” said Frank Catrone, supervisor specializing in disease intervention for the township health department.

In Cuyahoga County, cases doubled from 402 in 2017 to 889 in 2022. Stark County, which saw the largest increase, had 34 cases in 2019 and, as of October 31, 2024, already had 137 cases. .

“It’s basically affecting every demographic, every age group, every gender, and it’s just it’s spreading throughout the community,” Catrone said.

Symptoms of syphilis vary depending on how the infection progresses. There are several stages: primary, secondary, latent and tertiary. Symptoms may include ulcers, rashes, and flu-like symptoms such as fever and swollen lymph nodes. The longer the infection goes untreated, the more serious the effects can be.

“It can cause heart problems. This can lead to vision or hearing problems, and even problems with brain function,” Cassady said.

Data shows that 80% of syphilis cases in Cuyahoga County involve men, while 20% involve women. There is also an increase in cases of congenital syphilis, where untreated pregnant women pass the infection to their newborns.

“It’s a big problem, because in infants with syphilis, they don’t have strong enough immune responses, right? Thus, they can lead to stillbirths. This can lead to death shortly after birth. This can lead to other serious complications in the infant,” Trinh said.

Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics once diagnosed. Health officials emphasize that the best ways to prevent the spread of syphilis are to use condoms and get tested regularly.

“There is no need to be ashamed. Sexual health is part of all health. So it’s important to take care of your body, from the top of your head to the bottom of your toes,” Catrone said.