Syphilis and Sisyphus

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Following a 94% if decline in the reported number of cases of primary and secondary syphilis in the United States from 1947 to 1957, the reported number increased more than threefold from 1957 to 1962. Four factors possibly causing this increase are discussed: A) Increase in teenage sexual promiscuity. B) Increase in the number of overt male homosexuals and their sexual activity C) Decrease in sensitivity to penicillin of Treponema pallidum. D) Lessened utilization of penicillin in treatment of non-syphilitic infections. On the basis of present evidence we are unable to evaluate the role of the first 3 factors. We believe that the 4th factor has played a major part in the resurgence of syphilis. The decrease in the last 7 years in the use of penicillin has lessened the opportunity for early cure of infectious syphilis by coincidental or "happenstance" treatment. Except for epidemiologic treatment of contacts of patients with early syphilis, such "happenstance" treatment comprises the only means of abbreviating the infectious period to hours or days, since treatment for syphilis must await diagnosis, which always requires weeks, and often months and years.
Keywords