Berlin Significantly more syphilis diagnoses in Germany

Especially a big city phenomenon: more and more syphilis diagnoses in Germany
Syphilis was hardly common in Germany for a long time. But for some years, the venereal disease continues to spread in this country. New figures from the Robert Koch Institute now show that syphilis diagnoses are mainly made in cities. The front runner here is Berlin.

Nowhere have more people become infected than in Berlin
Syphilis was in this country for a long time almost disappeared. But for some years, the venereal disease spreads rapidly in Germany. New figures from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) show that syphilis diagnoses are mainly made in large cities.

Nowhere in Germany have more people become infected with the dangerous disease than in Berlin. Health experts repeatedly point to the importance of early detection tests. In many cases, syphilis is diagnosed late because it does not cause any discomfort at the beginning.

Syphilis has been spreading in Germany for several years. Nowhere is the STD diagnosed as often as in Berlin. Especially homosexual men are affected. (Image: tashatuvango / fotolia.com)

Number of syphilis diagnoses is rising
Just recently, the federal government warned of a rising number of venereal diseases. According to a government report on the strategy for controlling sexually transmitted infections, the increase in cases is partly due to the increased use of dating portals. New figures now show that, above all, the number of syphilis infections continues to rise in Germany.

Infections have hit new highs
Syphilis infections reached a new high in Germany in 2015. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin registered 6,834 cases diagnosed nationwide. As stated in the current Infectious Epidemiological Yearbook of the Institute, this is 19 percent more than in the previous year (5,722 cases). It is also the highest since 2001, when the disease became notifiable. In 2015, there were around 8.5 cases of syphilis per 100,000 inhabitants.

Especially affected are homosexual men
"An increase was reported from most federal states, but to varying degrees. In particular, urban agglomerations showed high incidences, here too in some cases with significant increases compared to the previous year, such as in Frankfurt / Main, Stuttgart, Hanover or in the inner city districts of Berlin ", write the experts in their yearbook. The highest number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants was registered in Berlin (39) and Hamburg (21), the least in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Thuringia (3,7). .

Particularly affected by the venereal disease are homosexual men. The proportion of cases believed to be due to sexual contact between men is said to have been 85 percent in 2015.

Strengthen awareness of syphilis
Syphilis is easy to treat with medication. However, only around one third of patients discover the infection at an early stage. The first symptoms include ulcers in the genital area or in the mouth. Since these cause no pain, they often go unnoticed. In late stages, however, syphilis is no longer limited to the skin, but may, according to doctors, among other things, damage the blood vessels.

Important are early diagnosis and treatment of syphilis infections. "The awareness of syphilis should therefore be strengthened both with the medical staff and with the affected groups," write the experts of the RKI. (Ad)