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Article: Syphilis: epidemiology and control. (STDs and Sexual/Reproductive Health)
- Article from:
- The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality
- Article date:
- June 22, 1997
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1997 SIECCAN, The Sex Information and Education Council of Canada. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Key words: Syphilis Epidemiology Syphilis control Canada
INTRODUCTION
Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum, and transmitted by vaginal, oral-genital or anal contact with an infected person. The incidence of syphilis is currently very low in Canada, but recent trends in the United States indicate an increase in rates of heterosexually acquired syphilis, most notably in young women, associated with crack cocaine use and the exchange of sex for drugs (Rolfs, Goldberg, & Sharrar, 1990). The result in the U.S. has been a dramatic increase in congenital syphilis. No information is available at the national level in ...