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U.S. panel recommends syphilis screening amid rising infections

Xinhua, June 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

An influential U.S. panel on Tuesday recommended syphilis screening for nonpregnant persons who are at increased risk of infection, including people with HIV and men who have sex with men, amid a rise in cases of the disease.

The recommendation complemented a 2009 recommendation in which the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended screening for syphilis infection in all pregnant women.

Syphilis is an infectious disease that can be transmitted sexually between partners. Syphilis may initially present as a sore on the skin, and without treatment, can become more severe.

The later, more severe stage of the disease may cause inflammation throughout the body, which can lead to cardiovascular or organ dysfunction.

Syphilis has been on the rise in the U.S. since 2000, with about 20,000 cases being reported in 2014, the highest number in over 10 years in the nation.

"Clinicians play an important role in helping to control the rising rates of syphilis infection and should focus on screening those at increased risk," Ann Kurth, a member of the USPSTF and dean of the Yale School of Nursing, said in a statement.

According to the USPSTF, people at the highest risk for syphilis infection are men who have sex with men and people living with HIV.

The USPSTF also recommended that clinicians consider their patients' sexual behaviors and networks as well as local rates of infection when deciding whom to screen.

In addition, the panel said everyone can reduce their risk for syphilis infection by consistent and correct use of condoms, limiting sexual activity to a mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who does not have syphilis, or by abstaining from sex.

The panel's recommendation has been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The USPSTF is an independent, volunteer panel of experts that makes recommendations about the effectiveness of specific preventive care services such as screenings, counseling services, and preventive medications. Endit