In 2017, there was a syphilis outbreak in Lubbock and around the nation. This year, the Health Department said those cases have gone down.
There were 30 reported cases in 2017, and so far this year, there are 18 reported cases.
Katherine Wells, director of the Health Department, said sex education could be a part of the reason why those cases decreased.
“Hopefully, we will continue to see that number going down. One of the national goals is actually to eliminate syphilis. At one point, they almost had it fully eradicated from the United States,” said Wells.
Around the U.S. and in Lubbock, the highest number of STIs are Chlamydia with the most cases, Gonorrhea coming in second, and syphilis being the third.
“Just to know your status. It helps prevent the spread of STDs. 88 percent of the population out there are asymptomatic when it comes to Chlamydia and prevention,” said Michelle Wegner, Senior LBN, Health Department STD Clinic.
Syphilis is an STI that can cause long-term complications, if you don’t treat it correctly. In most cases, syphilis is easily treated with an injection of penicillin. At the Health Department, they try to make it easy for you by offering testing for an affordable price.
“We go ahead and draw a tube of blood for syphilis testing. We poke their finger for the HIV test. It’s a five-minute HIV test and then we collect a urine sample for gonorrhea and Chlamydia testing,” said Wegner.
“If you think you have something or you’re concerned, people are welcome to come to the Health Department. We have confidential testing. The cost of coming in is $20, and they’ll get tested for all fo the STIs and we’ll provide treatment if it’s available,” said Wells.
You can find more information about the STD/HIV clinic here.
