Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 13, 1990 TAG: 9003133586
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: CHARLES HITE MEDICAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In 1989 syphilis cases in Roanoke totaled 95, a 66 percent increase from the 57 cases reported in 1988. For the first two months of this year, 28 cases have been reported, up from 16 during the same period last year.
Very few cases have occurred among homosexuals, a population that until a couple of years ago accounted for a large number of syphilis cases, says Martha Lees, investigator of sexually transmitted disease for the Roanoke Health Department.
Health department officials say many cases of syphilis can be traced to crack addicts who trade sex for drugs. "But syphilis is also spreading to the general population," says Lees. "We can't attribute all the increase to crack."
The decrease in syphilis among homosexuals means that population is practicing safe sex, Lees says. The general population needs to do the same, she adds. Abstinence from sex, a monogamous sexual relationship with an uninfected partner and use of condoms are the only ways to prevent the spread of the disease.
The increase in syphilis could be especially troublesome for pregnant women, where it can kill or cause permanent damage to the fetus, Lees says.
Because the disease is accompanied by open sores in the early stages, syphilis makes it easier to get and give AIDS, Lees warns.
The disease is about equally divided between males and females in Roanoke. Victims range in age from 15 to 66. Most cases occur among persons living in the Northwest section of the city.
Statewide, syphilis also has increased sharply. In 1988, the number of cases was 828, a 45 percent increase. In 1989, the total was 1,088, a 31 percent increase.
Syphilis is caused by a bacterium and can be treated easily with antibiotics. Local health departments offer free testing and treatment.
Many victims are not aware they have the disease, Lees says, because its symptoms often go unnoticed or can be easily attributed to some other medical problem.
Early symptoms included painless, open sores in the mouth, vagina or penis that last about three weeks. These symptoms occur within one to 12 weeks after sex.
During a second stage - anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks after the sores disappear - a skin rash usually surfaces. It may appear on a few areas of the body - especially the hands and feet - or it may cover the body. Other symptoms include loss of hair in patches, fever and sore throat.
Without treatment, the rash and flu-like symptoms eventually go away, although the syphilis remains. In late stages, syphilis can lead to heart problems, brain damage, blindness and paralysis.
Sexually transmitted disease investigators from two regional offices have been brought to Roanoke in recent months to help Roanoke officials track down the sexual partners of those who have syphilis, Lees says. These sexual partners are sometimes reluctant to cooperate when contacted by health officials.
"People sometimes don't come in when we ask them to," Lees says. "It's important for them to understand we are not the police. We're not trying to harass anybody. We're just trying to help people get the medical care they need."
by CNB