Syphilis cases on the rise in the U.S. Here is what you should know

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022 “207,255 cases of syphilis (all stages and congenital syphilis) were reported which is the greatest number of cases reported since 1950 and an increase of 17.3% since 2021.” Two years later the number of cases is still climbing across the country.

Here’s a summary of what syphilis is and what you can do to protect yourself from infection.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be cured with medicine but can cause long-term health issues if left untreated. It's spread with direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal or oral sex. It's also possible for a pregnant mother to pass it on to her child. Symptoms vary depending on the stages but those infected may see painless sores around their mouth or genitals early on. If left untreated for years patients may suffer anything from rashes, weight loss, and fatigue to severe damage to internal organs.

Experts say a variety of factors may be contributing to the rise in cases, including less funding in public health, riskier sexual habits and decreased use of condoms. Houston Health Department Chief Medical Officer, Dr. David Persse says the subtlety of the infection also plays a key role.

“While practicing safe sex, some may think using a condom, can be a nuisance,” Dr. Persse said. “Unfortunately, sexually transmitted infections, especially syphilis can be crafty and sneaky. A person can be infected with syphilis for up to 3 months before they have the first sign of infection, and the lesion is painless and easily overlooked.  This is why sexually active individuals can never let down their guard. When they do, syphilis takes advantage, and we see spikes in cases.”

If you are sexually active it’s important to take STIs seriously and take action against infection.
“Be sure to get tested if you are sexually active and make sure to practice healthy sexual habits with your partner, which includes wearing condoms every time you have sex and having your partner get tested as well and treated if need be,” Dr. Persse said. “Having successfully treated syphilis once does not give you immunity.”

If laboratory testing has confirmed the infection, it’s important to get treated right away. Your healthcare provider can prescribe antibiotics that will cure the infection and should follow up to make sure treatment is successful.  

To find out more about Syphilis or to get tested, visit the Houston Health Department website for a health center near you.

City of Houston heroes moved mountains for unhoused clients

The January arctic cold front came upon Houstonians quickly, plummeting the temperatures to below freezing overnight and requiring the housing insecure and the houseless to have places to stay warm between January 15 and January 17. City of Houston employees sprang into action, with several departments coming together to ensure the city had various warming centers to shelter people from the weather. The process involved members from all units working shifts to keep the operation running smoothly. Still, several workers went above and beyond those few days to provide warmth, comfort, care and life-changing solutions to our clients.  

From Houston Public Works (HPW) to the Houston Health Department (HHD) to first responders to the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and many more, everyone who participated in the warming event stepped up to the challenge of making sure our most vulnerable Houston residents were safe from the harsh elements, with many working during the holiday weekend. But a select few employees saw beyond the immediate need for shelter from the cold and knew that for many clients, their struggles wouldn’t end that week.

Not only was there an urgent need to get away from the cold, but an African-American veteran was also dealing with a personal tragedy. Just three days before January 17, his mother, who was living in California, had passed away. He desperately needed to travel there to make funeral arrangements but didn’t have enough for plane tickets. Administrators at the Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center began telling others of his story. And that’s when Tracey Flemmons, HHD Customer Service Representative and Housing Navigator for the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), stepped in to move mountains. A navy veteran himself, Flemmons was able to find a flight without using the man’s funds and scheduled a personal vehicle to take him straight to the airport. 

“As a veteran, it is a sense of duty to help other veterans,” Flemmons said. “We have a motto/creed that we live by and that is “We NEVER leave a service member behind”. Though we are retired or separated from active duty, those mottos/creeds and traits that we learned while on active duty, follow us into our civilian lives and we still live by them today. And I have a passion for seniors. They have paved the way for us and if it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be here.” 

The gesture was a warm reminder of the hard-working and passionate heroes we have in all areas of service.  

“A shout out to the HHD teammates who swiftly came together to make needed preparations for five successful warming center operations,” said Solly Diaz, Deputy Assistant Director for Multi-Service Center operations. “Like the veteran, several families were also helped in securing shelter, and many other heart-warming, kind and gentle actions. It reminds us that the work we do has a significant impact on the families we serve, and that fills our hearts. It was a true collaborative spirit of HHD divisions, OEM, community partners, HPD, HFD, Parks and many more.” 

Another volunteer at the Denver Harbor MSC went above and beyond for another client in a dire situation. HHD Community Engagement Coordinator Daniella Flanagan’s shift was supposed to end at 1pm, but upon hearing of a blind man in his 80s navigating the cold only to return to living in an abandoned home, she couldn’t walk away. Flanagan worked overtime to secure other articles of clothing for him, as his were sullied. An HPW employee helped the man clean up and get into his new outfit. Flanagan also found a nearby charity that could provide food, and through her own resources secured an alternative living arrangement for the gentleman. Flanagan says she has a big heart for caring for the unfortunate in her neighborhood. Helping the unhoused client on his way was a no-brainer.  

“It was inspiring to meet such dedicated individuals, especially considering my time onboard was less than 14 days AND amidst a significant Grey Sky event,” Flanagan said. “As someone deeply committed to community engagement, forward-thinking leaders like Deidre Shook-Jones, the Denver Harbor site lead for the warming event, make collaborative efforts more efficient and effective. I’d also like to thank the Fifth Ward and Denver Harbor groups that rallied together to provide food, water, clothing (undergarments, new jackets, backpacks, socks, sweaters, pants, etc.), bus passes, homeless verification letters, and homeless student support in record time.”

It’s moments like these where multiple people took public service to another level that stand as a shining example of what we can achieve with grit, determination, and teamwork. 

“It is important to me to go above and beyond my role with HHD, because the outcomes outweigh the monetary value,” Flemmons explained. “Helping citizens that are in need and meeting their needs, is what’s more rewarding and matters the most.  I’m just grateful that I was able to help and look forward to many more challenging opportunities to help not only veterans but the citizens of Houston.” 

A special thanks to all City of Houston employees who showed up to work at a moment’s notice and came together to help our fellow Houstonians.