After Covid-19 and monkeypox, syphilis? This is what many Internet users on social networks suggest, and especially on certain messengers like Telegram.
While many believed this disease had been eradicated since the 20th century, some argue that a new epidemic has already begun. 20 minutes make the point.
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Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection very contagious. It is caused by a bacterium, called Treponema pallidu, which is therefore transmitted sexually, but also from mother to child during pregnancy. Screening is done by taking a blood test.
The first epidemic linked to this infection was described at the end of the 15th century during the invasion of Italy by Charles VIII. Each side blaming the adversary, it was nicknamed “the French Evil” by our Italian neighbors, and the “Evil of Naples” by the French soldiers.
The disease, which claimed many victims until the beginning of the 20th century, gradually disappeared from France thanks to antibiotic treatments until it became extremely rare in our borders. On the other hand, it has never been completely eradicated from the globe.
Fewer condoms, more syphilis
Contacted by 20 minutes, Public Health France is keen to avoid psychosis. Syphilis does not worry the authorities unduly. While the number of cases detected has certainly increased in recent years, it is also due to an increase in the number of screenings since 2012.
According the last report on the subject of Public Health France, published in December 2021, on the 2.57 million people over the age of 15 tested in the private sectors and in free information, screening and diagnosis centers (CeGIDD) in 2020 , 2,500 cases of syphilis have been diagnosed. A figure down 18% compared to 2019.
The report specifies that this decrease “being less than the decrease in the number of syphilis screenings in CeGIDD, the positivity rate fell from 1.2% in 2019 to 1.4% in 2020”.
“Exaggerated to speak of an epidemic”
Territorially, the overseas departments have the highest positivity rate. According to another report by Santé Publique France, 61% of people diagnosed with CeGIDD are men who have sex with men, making them the population most affected by these infections.
Although heterosexuals are less affected, their number is however increasing according to health insurancewhich adds that sex workers and people who have had sex with people from countries where the disease is endemic are particularly at risk.
After administration of antibiotics, syphilis disappears quickly but, since it is not a virus, a cured patient can be contaminated again by the bacteria. Thus, if the disease remains monitored by the health authorities, in the same way as other STDs, it is “exaggerated” to speak of an epidemic.