Syphilis: The Comeback Nobody Asked For
Remember when everyone thought syphilis was some old-timey disease from history books? Well, it’s back—and Alberta is seeing the worst outbreak since the 1940s. Yikes.
In 2014, only 160 cases were reported, with zero babies born with syphilis. Fast forward to 2023, and that number skyrocketed to over 17,000 cases in teens and adults, plus 340+ cases in newborns. The numbers are still climbing in 2024.
What Is Syphilis and How Does It Spread?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI, or STBBI) that spreads through contact with syphilis sores or bodily fluids. This can happen through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The scariest part? Many people don’t even know they have it because symptoms can be mild or nonexistent.
Without treatment, syphilis can progress through four stages—primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary—each getting more serious. If left untreated, it can cause severe complications like blindness, dementia, organ failure, and even death.
Worse still, pregnant people with syphilis can pass it to their babies, leading to congenital syphilis. This can result in stillbirths, severe birth defects, and, in many cases, infant death. In fact, if untreated during pregnancy, congenital syphilis has a 31% chance of infant mortality. That means for every 3 babies born with syphilis, 1 will die.
Why Should You Care?
Syphilis isn’t just a problem from the past—it’s a growing crisis in Alberta, and its sneaky as hell—it often has no symptoms but can cause serious health problems if left untreated. It doesn’t matter your gender, sexual orientation, or background—if you’re sexually active, you’re at risk.
And here’s the kicker: Syphilis is totally treatable with antibiotics. But if left unchecked, it can cause irreversible damage to your brain, heart, nerves, and more. And if a pregnant person has syphilis, they can pass it to their baby, leading to lifelong disabilities or even death.
Still think it’s not a big deal? Think again. Syphilis is spreading fast, and the only way to stop it is to get tested and treated. You can’t treat syphilis by yourself, and it doesn’t go away.
Sexual Health Week = The Perfect Time to Get Tested
This isn’t just some boring health PSA—syphilis rates are off the charts, and the numbers speak for themselves:
Alberta-wide: 3,326 cases—a 2.4% increase from 2021.
South Zone: 57.2 cases per 100,000 people—a 90.1% spike since 2021.
Who’s most affected? 52.5% of South Zone cases are women, and 41.1% are between 20-29.
Syphilis is more than a personal health issue—it’s a public health emergency. It spreads easily because people often don’t know they have it. That’s why getting tested regularly is essential, even if you feel fine. This Sexual Health Week, we’re shining a spotlight on syphilis to break the stigma and make testing normal, easy, and accessible.
Busting the Myths: What You Think You Know About Syphilis
Let’s clear up some common misconceptions:
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Fact: Most cases have zero symptoms. That’s why it spreads so easily.
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Fact: Nope. It’s at outbreak levels because nobody thinks it’s a big deal.
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Fact: If untreated, it can mess with your brain, eyesight, and even personality. In pregnancy, it can lead to 1 in 3 babies not surviving.
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Fact: Having syphilis once doesn’t make you immune. You can get reinfected.
What Happens During a Syphilis Test?
Worried about getting tested? Don’t be. It’s quick, easy, and completely confidential—no one has to know unless you choose to tell them. The test is simple: just a quick blood draw, and you're done. There’s no need to fast or prepare in advance—just walk in and get tested.
Don’t have an Alberta Health Card? No problem. Testing is completely free, even if you don’t have provincial health coverage. If you’re under 18, you don’t need parental permission to get tested or treated—your sexual health is your business, and services are confidential. You might be asked some questions about your sexual history, but you only need to share what you're comfortable with.
And if you do test positive? Alberta Health will notify past partners anonymously, so you don’t have to do the awkward texting yourself.
Where to Get Tested in Alberta
Getting tested is easier than finding a good dating app match. Check out:
Your doctor’s office
Walk-in medical clinics
Call Health Link at 811 for testing locations near you
Safer Sex: Protect Yourself & Your Partners
When it comes to sex, there's always some level of risk. But by taking the right steps, you can make your experience safer. It’s about minimizing risks, not eliminating them completely.
Here are a few things that can help keep you safer:
Use condoms & dental dams correctly and consistently.
Get tested regularly. Recommended once a year with 1 partner, or anytime you have a new partner or go back to an old one.
Talk to your partners about STI testing.
Sanitize and use new toys with new partners. (Yep, you can totally use condoms with your toys. Bonus: cleanup is easier)
If using substances, don’t share needles or snorting straws.
