Syphilis on the rise in Canadian cities

Toronto's public health department is warning people to watch for symptoms of syphilis following a steep increase in the number of reported cases.

More than 350 residents in the city were diagnosed with the sexually transmitted disease in 2004. That number stood at just 30 in 2001.

The disease appears to be spreading quickly among gay men, said Toronto's assistant medical officer of health. Vancouver and Ottawa are experiencing similar cases.

• FROM FEB. 9, 2005: Campaign targets rising infection rates in sexually active youth (CBC Ottawa)

• FROM DEC. 21, 2003: Syphilis on rise in Vancouver

"Syphilis is out there in the gay community, particularly in people who are having a lot of anonymous sex in bathhouses and so on," said Dr. Rita Shahin.

A family doctor who sees syphilis cases on a weekly basis noted that the disease is a simple bacterial infection that can be easily treated if it is caught early.

Dr. Keith Loukes said the results can also be fatal, particularly in patients who are also infected with HIV.

"It can be very aggressive to those individuals," said Loukes. "But even people with normal immune systems, there's a certain percentage who contract syphilis and get very, very, very sick. That's concerning, especially since it's so easily preventable and easily treated."

Syphilis is usually transmitted through sexual contact and initially results in a painless, open sore or ulcer in the area of exposure.The second stage creates a rash on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.

Left untreated, the disease eventually attacks the heart, eyes and brain, and can lead to mental illness, blindness and death.