Rise in Syphilis Cases Raises Concerns of Medical System Collapse in Japan and Korea
The number of syphilis cases in Japan has seen a rapid increase, putting the country in a state of emergency. Similarly, Korea is also facing a growing number of cases, raising concerns about the connection with the Japanese outbreak.
Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease caused by the syphilis bacterium, can have serious health consequences if left untreated. Infections can affect both the genitals and the entire body. The bacterial infection, caused by Treponema pallidum, belongs to the spirochete family. Although it is a common sexually transmitted disease, it can cause inflammatory diseases and severe damage to the central nervous system if not treated in a timely manner.
Syphilis is often asymptomatic and can remain dormant for extended periods, only to appear suddenly and potentially recur. Prevention through safe sexual practices is crucial to reducing the risk of infection.
Treating syphilis involves the use of antibiotics, with penicillin being the primary choice for stages 1 and 2. Neurosyphilis, which involves the central nervous system, requires intravenous administration of water-soluble penicillin.
Experts emphasize the importance of safe sexual practices and prompt medical examinations if any suspicious symptoms arise.
In Japan, the number of syphilis cases has reached a critical level, with a more than 30% increase compared to the previous year. If the trend continues, the number of infected individuals is expected to exceed 17,000 by year-end, putting significant strain on the medical system. The spread of syphilis is believed to be linked to factors such as promiscuous sexual behavior and the use of dating apps.
In Korea, the number of syphilis cases is steadily rising, increasing concerns about its spread. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a 7.7% increase in sexually transmitted infections compared to the same period last year. Over the past six months, the number of syphilis patients has risen by 10%.
The Agency for Disease Control and Prevention points out that the situations in Japan and Korea are different. They caution against drawing conclusions solely from monitoring a small sample size and state that a comprehensive census is needed to accurately assess the magnitude of the issue.
It is crucial to prioritize prevention and engage in safe sexual practices, including using condoms and avoiding sexual contact with multiple or anonymous partners. To address this growing concern, the Agency for Disease Control and Prevention is considering upgrading syphilis to a grade 3 infectious disease, similar to AIDS, and conducting a full census to better understand and combat the spread of the disease.
[Source: Biotimes. Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited]
Early treatment is key … expert, “If left unattended, it could lead to serious risks”
Syphilis patients in Japan increased by 30% compared to last year… The possibility of a medical system collapse related to sexually transmitted diseases was raised
In the last 6 months, domestic syphilis patients with sexually transmitted diseases increased by 10% compared to the previous year.
Agency for Disease Control and Prevention, “Japan and Korea are in different situations”
ⓒ Getty Image Bank
[바이오타임즈] Recently, the number of patients with syphilis, a type of venereal disease, has increased rapidly, putting Japan in a state of emergency. The number of syphilis patients is known to be increasing in Korea, and concerns are growing. According to statistics from the health authorities, the number of domestic cases of syphilis increased by 10% compared to the previous year.
As the neighboring country, Japan, faces a crisis due to the spread of syphilis, coincidentally, the same result was released in Korea, and attention is focused on the connection with the Japanese epidemic.
◇ Although it is a common sexually transmitted disease, there is a risk of serious harm to the body if left unattended… “Be aware of sexual contact safety”
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease and is a genital and systemic disease caused by infection with the syphilis bacterium. When the syphilis bacteria infect the body, associated symptoms appear on the genitals and throughout the body.
It is a bacterial infection caused by Treponema palladium, a bacterium belonging to the spirochete family.
It is recognized as a common sexually transmitted disease that infects more than 6 million people worldwide, but if not treated in time, it can cause inflammatory diseases throughout the body and cause serious damage to the nervous system central.
In addition, most sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis, are dormant even if there are no symptoms, appear one day, and sometimes recur when there is a gap. That’s why prevention is best.
Syphilis treatment is based on antibiotics. Stages 1 and 2 can be treated with a single intramuscular injection of penicillin (a type of antibiotic). For neurosyphilis involving cerebrospinal fluid, water-soluble penicillin must be injected intravenously.
Experts emphasize avoiding unsafe sexual contact and getting a quick examination if suspicious symptoms appear.
ⓒ Getty Image Bank
◇ The ‘syphilis scare’ hit Japan… Worries about the spread in the country
The momentum of syphilis that recently hit Japan is not serious. In Japan, where the increase in patients since last year was unusual, the number of syphilis cases that occurred this year and last month is known to have increased by more than 30% from last year to 8,300.
New cases have occurred in all 47 prefectures, prefectures, prefectures, and prefectures (local governments of a wide area) across Japan, with 2,052 cases reported most in Tokyo, the capital.
If this trend continues, the number of patients infected with syphilis is expected to reach 17,000 by the end of this year, an increase of more than 4,000 since last year.
Although the spread of syphilis patients does not stop, the possibility of a collapse of the medical system related to sexually transmitted diseases is raised due to the lack of medical staff specializing in sexually transmitted diseases to treat them.
Japanese authorities speculate that the spread of syphilis is caused by promiscuous sex, such as allowing foreign travelers to enter the country and increasing the use of dating apps.
In Korea, the number of patients with syphilis is steadily increasing, raising concerns about its spread. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released statistics on sexually transmitted infections on the 17th.
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the incidence of seven sexually transmitted infections (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia infection, chancre, genital herpes simplex, genital herpes, condylomum condylom, and human papillomavirus (HPV)) in July. this year was 18,975, compared to the same period last year, an increase of 7.7%.
The number of confirmed cases of syphilis in Korea increased from 337 in 2021 to 401 in 2022, an increase of almost 20% in a year, and the cumulative number of patients in the last six months was 201, an increase of 10% compared with the same period last year.
The Agency for Disease Control and Prevention is in the position that Japan and Korea are in a different position. An official from the Agency for Disease Control and Prevention explained, “The texture of the epidemic in Japan and Korea is different,” and “it is difficult to conclude that the number of patients has increased significantly just by monitoring the a sample.”
“Preventing syphilis is more important than anything else, so it is better to refrain from having sex without a condom or sexual contact with anonymous or multiple partners,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Agency for Disease Control and Prevention is promoting a plan to change from a sample survey to a full census by upgrading syphilis, currently a grade 4 infectious disease, to a grade 3 infectious disease such as AIDS.
[바이오타임즈=김가람 기자] news@biotimes.co.kr
Copyright © Biotimes Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited
#Syphilis #hit #Japan #nationwide #state #emergency.. #Worry #spread #Korea
