Syphilis in Oregon shows 1500% increase – Proactive providers steps to protect patients

November 25, 2015   |   Evidence in Integrative Healthcare

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) have recently posted a bulletin for all Oregon healthcare providers due the massive increase in syphilis cases since 2007 – from fewer than 30 cases reported in 2007 to about 450 cases statewide during 2015. Providers should be on alert to provide intake forms that may capture a need for further screening. Because you can’t tell by simply looking at a patient whether or not they need testing, certain behaviors may suggest a need for screening. Providers should take a good sexual and drug use history from all patients.

To read the full text of the bulletin and get more information on Oregon’s fight against sexually transmitted diseases visit the Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health page at http://public.health.oregon.gov/DiseasesConditions/HIVSTDViralHepatitis/SexuallyTransmittedDisease/Pages/index.aspx