A report out of the U.S. says that more and more babies are being born with syphilis. The rise is most evident in the American South and is linked to crack cocaine use and prostitution.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published the information in its weekly report on death and disease. The agency stated: "After declining for 14 years, the congenital syphilis rate among infants aged under 1 year increased 23 percent, from 8.2 cases per 100,000 live births in 2005 to 10.1 during 2008. That increase followed a 38 percent increase in the … syphilis rate among females aged more than 10 years from 2004 to 2007."
If a woman is infected by this sexually transmitted disease during pregnancy, there is a risk the baby could be stillborn or be born deaf, have nerve damage or bone deformities. Antibiotic treatment one month before delivery can prevent many problems.
People with syphilis often do not feel any symptoms. The disease can therefore be transmitted by a person who is unaware they are infected.
Syphilis usually starts with a single sore called a chancre. If it is left untreated, a person can develop a rash, fever and swollen lymph nodes. Advanced-stage syphilis can damage the brain, nerves, eyes, heart and other organs.