Slovakian health officials are reporting an increase in the number of cases of the sexually transmitted infection, syphilis in 2014 compared to the previous year.
Slovak media reports of 370 syphilis cases in 2014, a 23 percent increase from the previous year. The regions of Bratislava and Košice have seen the most cases.
“Six children under 15 were diagnosed with syphilis, too, including a baby who was born with the disease in Trebišov district in Košice Region”, the report notes.
Syphilis is primarily a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria. It is transmitted by unprotected oral, anal and vaginal sex. Earlysymptoms of infection may include a painless ulcer or chancre, rash, fever, swollen or enlarged lymph nodes, hair loss, and headaches.
Symptoms may or may not be present. If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious health complications including heart problems, brain damage, blindness and even death.
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