Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/Feb. 12, 2025
This year during Sexual and Reproductive Health Week (Feb. 9 to 15) public health is shining a light on syphilis and the increasing risk of infection for women aged 15 to 44 in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties (HPE).
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is easily treated with antibiotics. However, left untreated, the disease may cause serious health problems, such as heart and brain damage, blindness, deafness, and paralysis.
Although men have consistently accounted for the vast majority of infectious syphilis cases reported in Ontario between 2014 and 2023, the proportion of cases reported among women has increased almost five-fold during this 10-year period, from 3.8 per cent in 2014 to 18.0 per cent in 2023. In HPE in the past five years, 21 per cent of infectious syphilis cases diagnosed were in women aged 15 to 44 years.
“The increase in syphilis cases among women across Canada in recent years is a concerning trend that highlights the need for testing for anyone who is engaging in sexual activity without condoms or dental dams,” states Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Deputy Medical Officer of Health for the South East Health Unit (SEHU, formerly Hastings Prince Edward Public Health). “As a result of increasing rates among women, there has also been a steep increase in congenital syphilis, which occurs when the infection is passed to a fetus during pregnancy.”
In Canada, congenital syphilis has increased 599% over the last four years. Congenital syphilis can lead to pregnancy loss, low birth weight and stillbirth. Infants born with syphilis can develop abnormalities, including bone deformities, neurological issues and problems with vision or hearing.
“We rarely saw syphilis cases when I started in the sexual health clinic 8 years ago. When we did, the cases were almost always diagnosed in men,” says Jennifer Ronan, public health nurse for SEHU. “Today, syphilis cases are becoming common, and the demographics are certainly changing, which is why we encourage women who could be at risk for infection to seek testing.”
Anyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, can become infected with syphilis through oral, anal or vaginal sex when engaging in these activities without the use of a condom or dental dam. Individuals infected with syphilis may not show symptoms, or early symptoms may not be noticeable, which can lead them to unknowingly transmitting the infection. The first symptom of syphilis is a sore which can be painless, and can go unnoticed because it may develop inside the vagina, throat or rectum.
Syphilis and congenital syphilis are preventable.
To help prevent getting or passing on syphilis:
- Correctly and consistently use condoms and dental dams during sexual activities. Free condoms are available at all local public health offices in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties.
- Talk to your partner(s) about sexually transmitted infections.
- Get tested.
- If you are or are thinking about becoming pregnant, talk to your health care provider about congenital syphilis.
How to access testing:
- Through your primary health care provider.
- At a walk-in or virtual care clinic.
- Book an appointment with South East Health Unit offices in HPE by calling 613-966-5500 ext. 243.
- Getakit.ca is an online assessment and mail-out system for home-based HIV self-tests and other STI testing services (for those 16+).
- An emergency department (if you are experiencing symptoms and are unable to access any other options).
- For students: College health services, or secondary school public health clinics (if available).
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Media contacts
Sara Hart, Communications Specialist
hart.sara@hpeph.ca
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
The South East Health Unit (formerly Hastings Prince Edward Public Health) is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people.
