Geelong residents urged to get tested amid rising cases of syphilis

Geelong is dealing with an outbreak of a different kind, with cases of one particular sexually transmitted infection on the rise.

Geelong residents are being urged to get tested for syphilis amid growing cases in the region.

Geelong residents are being urged to get tested for sexually transmissible infections amid increasing syphilis cases in the region.

STI Testing Week is running this week, finishing up on Saturday.

Barwon South West public health unit director Eugene Athan said rates of syphilis infections continued to increase across all population groups in our region, as they have since 2014.

Untreated syphilis can lead to damage to vital organs.

“We know accessing testing has been more challenging due to changes in how many health services operate, particularly moving to telehealth rather than face-to-face appointments,” Prof Athan said.

“Some people accessing an STI screen have had a telephone consult and then required a blood test at a pathology centre, rather than completing the whole process at a face-to-face appointment.

“Testing for STIs is strongly recommended to help prevent outbreaks, especially as people have more social interactions with restrictions eased.

“These infections are often asymptomatic and we recommend talking to your GP or sexual health clinic about your level and type of sexual activity.”

The Victorian health department’s executive director of public health, Maria Bubnic, said during STI Testing Week, it wanted all Victorians to look after their sexual health and talk to their GP, nurse or health worker about getting a sexual health test.

“If you are having sex you should be getting a regular sexual health test every 12 months, or earlier if you are planning a baby,” she said.

Ms Bubnic said sexual health testing decreased last year during lockdowns, and again this year.

“This means people may have an undiagnosed STI and potentially be at risk of passing an STI onto a partner,” she said.

“That is why it is so important that when restrictions ease, and freedoms return, that people talk to their GP about a sexual health test.

“There are many types of STIs, most are curable and all are treatable.

“If left untreated, STIs can cause long term effects on the body, including infertility.”

Originally published as Geelong residents urged to get tested amid rising cases of syphilis