Skip directly to searchSkip directly to the site navigationSkip directly to the page's main content

PHOM Indicator Profile Report of Syphilis Cases - Primary and Secondary

Why Is This Important?

Syphilis is a complex sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium ''Treponema pallidum'' (spp. ''pallidum''). The initial stage (primary syphilis) is characterized by a highly infectious painless open sore, called a chancre, at the site of infection. Chancres occur mainly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum. Syphilis is passed from person to person through direct contact with the chancre. Sexual transmission can also occur during the secondary stage of syphilis. An infant can acquire syphilis through the placenta if the mother is infected. In later stages of the disease, the bacteria move throughout the body, damaging many organs over time. The open nature of the syphilitic sores makes it easier to acquire HIV, if exposed, or to transmit the virus, if infected. Public health intervention and education measures are crucial in eliminating syphilis.

Primary and Secondary Syphilis, Utah and U.S., 1994-2020

::chart - missing::

Data Sources

  • The Utah Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Epidemiology
  • Population Estimates: National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) through a collaborative agreement with the U.S. Census Bureau, IBIS Version 2020
  • National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Data Notes

Rates were calculated by dividing the number of cases for each year by the total population within that year and multiplying by 100,000. At the time of writing, U.S. STD Surveillance Data for 2020 was not yet available.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases include: * sexual activity among young adults 25 and younger * multiple sex partners * prior history of STDs * unprotected sex * sexual contact with prostitutes (male or female) * illicit drug use[[br]] [[br]] Those who fall within one or more of these categories should be tested for STDs in regular intervals. Sites of primary syphilis infection may include penis, rectum, anus, vagina, cervix, vulva, or mouth.

How Are We Doing?

In 2020, 133 cases of primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis were diagnosed and reported in Utah. Sixty-six of the cases were primary syphilis and Sixty-seven cases were secondary syphilis. Although P&S syphilis rates have fallen for two years now, 18.9% in 2019 and 4.7% in 2020, the general trend of the past 15-years has been one of general increase. In 2020 the rate of P&S syphilis was 925.0% higher than in 2005. During 2020, 83.5% of P&S syphilis cases were diagnosed among residents within the Wasatch Front (Salt Lake, Davis, Utah, and Weber Counties); which is consistent with recent years. Although most cases are reported from Utah's more populous counties, San Juan County Health District had the highest rate of P&S syphilis at 13.1 cases per 100,000 persons. P&S syphilis cases were primarily diagnosed among men during 2020 at a rate of 7.4 cases per 100,000 male persons. Males between the ages of 30-34 years actually experienced the highest rates in 2020 (21.9 cases per 100,000 people). Twelve females were diagnosed with P&S syphilis in 2020. Only 67 females have been reported with P&S syphilis from 2000-2020, meaning that 35.8% of all P&S syphilis cases among females occurred between 2019-2020. During 2020, the P&S syphilis cases were diagnosed primarily among White, non-Hispanic individuals (61.7%) followed by Hispanics (26.3%).

What Is Being Done?

Persons who test positive for syphilis are confidentially interviewed by a local public health nurse to educate the patient, ensure proper treatment, and to obtain sexual partner information for follow-up. This process potentially prevents those diseases reported from being spread and from the patient becoming reinfected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for testing, treatment, and follow-up are adhered to by the Utah Department of Health and the local health departments. The Utah Department of Health HIV and STD Prevention and Surveillance Program, along with local health departments, currently provides STD presentations upon request to a variety of organizations, agencies, and facilities.

Healthy People Objective: Reduce sustained domestic transmission of primary and secondary syphilis

U.S. Target: Not applicable, see subobjectives in this category

Date Indicator Content Last Updated: 10/20/2021


Other Views

The information provided above is from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services IBIS-PH web site (http://ibis.health.state.gov). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Thu, 28 March 2024 14:34:02 from Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health Web site: http://ibis.health.state.gov ".

Content updated: Thu, 10 Nov 2022 16:55:58 MST