The United States syphilis rate has declined to its lowest level in many years, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

In 1995, 16,500 cases of primary and secondary syphilis were reported to the CDC. It is the fewest number of cases since 1960.

These statistics are accurate because doctors are required by law to report any positive test results for syphilis.

Though the disease is less of a problem in the United States, it is still a serious problem in other geographical areas.

One of the largest infected groups in the United States is African-Americans, the CDC said.

The CDC calls syphilis the “genital ulcerative disease,” and like other bacterial STDs, it is transmitted through vaginal, anal or oral sexual activity.

It can also be transmitted by touching an affected area, according to Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity.

At San Diego State University, there is rarely a positive test result for syphilis, said peer educator Sean Kaufman.

“We usually see one positive test result per year,” he said. “It’s probably the least common at SDSU and in the country.”

Though it is uncommon, syphilis can be very serious if left untreated.

Unlike other STDs, syphilis has four stages. The first is the appearance of an open sore called a chancre.

These sores form in the parts of the body that had contact with the bacteria. They normally appear within four weeks of infection.

The other stages are secondary, latent and tertiary.

In the later stages, syphilis is likely to cause brain damage or death, but Kaufman said it is rare for the disease to progress into those stages.

“Most people get treated before the disease progresses,” he said.

Other complications from syphilis can include transmission of the disease from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth. The CDC estimated this happens in more than 70 percent of cases.

The CDC stresses that a major complication of the disease is that it makes infected people extremely vulnerable to opportunistic infections, especially to HIV.

Syphilis also is likely to cause prenatal death in the fetuses of infected women. This happens in more than 40 percent of cases.

Though syphilis can cause brain damage and death, it is easily curable.

Like other bacterial infections, it is normally treated and cured with an antibiotic such as penicillin or doxycycline.

Testing for syphilis can only be done accurately by taking a blood test.

Student Health Services at SDSU does both testing and treatment. Testing is free at SHS.

For more information on testing for syphilis, or for information about any other STD, call SHS at 594-5281.