Syphilis Cases Confirmed at San Diego State University
Students are Being Notified and Urged to Seek Testing If Appropriate
A student at SDSU was recently diagnosed with the sexually transmitted disease; and the case was reported to HHSA in accordance with the law. HHSA subsequently initiated investigation into potential further transmission, and identified additional exposures which have been tested, confirmed and treated.
"We are working closely with county health officials to notify our students of potential exposure and to explain the need for testing," said Dr. Gregg Lichtenstein, medical director of SDSU Student Health Services. "Any student who has engaged in unprotected sex in the past five months should come in for a test."
"Syphilis is easily treated with antibiotics and the best detection is through a simple blood test," said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., interim county public health officer. "Because it can be undetectable initially, it’s important for people to get tested if they think they may have been exposed."
Syphilis blood testing is available to students free of charge at SDSU Student Health Services, located in the Calpulli Center off of Aztec Walk across from Extended Studies, or at the County of San Diego Health Services Complex at 3851 Rosecrans Street. Students can also visit their personal physicians for testing.
Syphilis is a curable bacterial infection that is primarily spread through sexual contact. A person can contract and spread syphilis through oral, anal and vaginal sex or through other intimate contact including kissing (when a syphilis sore is present in the mouth). Often, the primary lesion, called a chancre, develops during the early stages of the disease. However, it may go unnoticed as it is painless and can be on or in the penis, or inside the vagina, anus or mouth. Usually this sore will go away, with or without treatment, but one can still transmit the disease to others until treated. If left untreated, syphilis can cause damage to major organs, principally the brain and blood vessels. It can also cause serious birth defects.
SDSU has begun notifying students by several means. Health educators from the Health Promotion Department at Student Health Services are making presentations to organized student groups, and have announced special information sessions at scheduled times on campus. E-mail notices have been sent to students, as well as to parents, faculty and staff. Printed flyers are being distributed in the mail boxes of all student residence halls; and small posters produced and provided by HHSA will be posted throughout the campus. Information is also available in the Health Promotion office at SDSU, and by calling (619) 594-5281.
