Syphilis cases in Querétaro have increased by 46% in the last 11 months, according to the Epidemiological Bulletin of the Ministry of Health. During this period, 305 cases of acquired syphilis have been confirmed—171 in men and 134 in women—compared to 209 cases registered last year, indicating an increase in unprotected sexual activity. Specialists attribute the surge to a lower perception of risk, insufficient condom use, and a decrease in medical consultations since the start of the pandemic.
Urologist Rodrigo Galván explained that many men do not recognize the initial signs of the disease, such as sores that disappear on their own within weeks, which facilitates its spread through unprotected sex. Although the main increase is concentrated in acquired syphilis, cases of congenital syphilis have also risen slightly: five so far this year, compared to four during the same period in 2014. Gynecologist Mónica Carrillo explained that this variant can cause anything from skin and mucous membrane lesions in newborns to bone, hearing, and vision problems in its later stages.
Specialists urged people to reinforce prevention through the consistent use of condoms—male or female—avoiding unprotected practices such as oral sex, and seeking medical attention for any sores or symptoms. They emphasized the importance of regular checkups, especially for those with more than one sexual partner, in order to detect and treat these types of infections promptly.
Source: ciudadypoder
