NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Syphilis is spreading at alarming rates in Tennessee, with cases up 162% over a five-year period. However, getting tested just got easier.
Middle Tennessee health experts say they’re seeing syphilis cases almost daily. Between 2017 and 2022, on top of an overall increase in cases, syphilis among women increased by 311%. Meanwhile, cases of babies born with syphilis, or congenital syphilis cases, rose by more than 400%.
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The infection can be life-threatening to babies and gets worse for adults the longer it goes untreated.
“In areas of secondary syphilis you can see rashes on palms and rashes on feet, and then it can also progress to affect your hearing, affect your sight, and even affect your brain,” said Laura Varnier, Bureau Director for Clinical Services at Metro Public Health Department…