Cases of the sexually transmitted infection, syphilis, has tripled between 2011 and 2017 in Argentina, according to data from the Ministry of Health. In 2011, Argentina saw 3,875 syphilis cases and six years later in 2017, the country reported 11,709, mostly in young adults, according to a BAE Negocios report (computer translated).
Syphilis is a sexually-transmitted disease (STD) that can cause long-term complications if not treated correctly. Symptoms of syphilis in adults include a painless sore that will go away without treatment followed by a non-itchy body rash. If left untreated syphilis can lead to damage through the body including neurological and cardiovascular complications. Syphilis also increases the risk of HIV infection and, for women, can cause problems during pregnancy and for the newborn.
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It can be diagnosed with a simple blood test. In most cases, syphilis is easily treated with a single injection of penicillin. Penicillin will also prevent syphilis infection in contacts that may not yet show symptoms.
Concerning condom use in Argentina, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) reports only 14.5 percent of people always use a condom, while 65 percent use it sometimes and 20.5 percent never use one.
Tuesday is International Condom Day.
