Early syphilis cases are an aggregate of primary, secondary and early latent
cases under one year duration. Early syphilis cases represent recent transmission
via sexual contact, vaginal, rectal or oral sex. The 47 early syphilis cases
reported in 2002 are over double the cases reported in 2001 (22) and the
greatest number reported since 1993. It is important to identify and treat
persons with early syphilis to prevent late complications, such as brain and
heart damage, and to prevent congenital infections. People with primary and
secondary syphilis more easily acquire and transmit HIV. An effective way to
limit the spread of syphilis is to evaluate and treat recent sex partners of
people with early syphilis. The majority of the early syphilis cases reported
during 2002 were among men who have sex with men and communities of
color.
Early Syphilis
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