Chicago Reports Rise of Early-Stage Syphilis Symptoms, Including Vision and Hearing Loss

Health officials in Chicago have reported a concerning trend: individuals with symptoms typically associated with advanced stages of syphilis such as vision and eye problems, headaches, hearing loss or dizziness caused by the sexually transmitted infection (STI). While it is well-known that untreated syphilis can lead to permanent damage in various parts of the body including eyesight and hearing, these symptoms have been typically associated with undiagnosed long-standing infections. The findings were presented at a recent conference by Dr Amy Nham, an EIS officer (disease detective) based on the Chicago Department of Public Health who reviewed more than two dozen cases from last year that showed early signs of syphilis and over one third lacked typical symptoms like sores or rashes. Most patients were men (75%) with around three-quarters being Black, ranging in age between 23 to 82 years old, the largest majority either described as homosexuality men – some admitted straight behavior — however just under half of all cases said they had heterosexual sex only; one third was HIV positive. While more gay and bisexual males still suffer from syphilis infection rates have risen dramatically in both male and female heterosexuals since 2019, as well as congenital syphilis (passed on to babies during pregnancy). The CDC reported over 207,00 cases of the STI last year alone – a record high not seen since the ’50s. Nham’s study found that headaches and personality changes or altered mental status were among the most common symptoms experienced by patients alongside eye problems such as vision loss, sensitivity to light or swelling in eyes. As providers are encouraged to be more vigilant with screening procedures given these findings, it is noted that syphilis can present itself differently from other ailments and may go unnoticed due to its ability to mimic various symptoms – hence the term “the great imitator”. Syphilis bacteria called Treponema pallidum are responsible for this STI; it manifests in three stages with people catching it through contact with chancres (round, firm and painless sores) which can last between 3-6 weeks. If left untreated syphilis may progress to the third stage where symptoms include brain swelling called meningitis or mental changes such as personality change/dementia. During this period of time hearing loss could potentially become more problematic than with primary infections along side eye sight related ailments and dizziness due to inner ear involvement by bacteria; it is also worth noting that, despite symptoms showing during second stage (where people often feel unwell) they can go away after chancres disappear – which makes diagnosing the condition much harder. Nham’s study only focused on Chicago but she has heard of similar reports in other areas of the US where more individuals with syphilis have presented early signs, and although there is no definitive answer as to why this trend may be occurring it could potentially stem from a shortage of Bicillin L-A (long acting formulation penicillin injection), which has been reported since last year; the CDC advised that healthcare providers prioritize these injections for pregnant women and babies due to its effectiveness during pregnancy. Men can take doxycycline, an antibiotic taken orally twice a day over several weeks – however some individuals may not complete the whole treatment programme adequately thus increasing untreated instances resulting ultimately leading in further complications associated with syphilis.