Syphilis Outbreak Strikes Oklahoma Teens

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY - Health officials are warning teenagers about the danger of syphilis after noting an increase in the number of young people with the sexually transmitted disease in central Oklahoma.

Jan Fox of the Oklahoma State Health Department said the disease is usually seen in the older population.

"Seeing that many in a younger age group was very alarming to us," Fox said.

The disease is showing up in teens between the ages of 15 and 18.

Last year, the state had 249 total Syphilis cases, 15 of which were teens. This year, 10 teens in central Oklahoma have already contracted the disease.

"Untreated syphilis can attack all the major organs in the body including the brain the nervous system, the heart, and it can lead to some very serious problems including death," Fox said.

Condoms can prevent spread of the disease but health officials said the teens are getting the disease at unsupervised parties were unprotected group sex is encouraged.

Fox said young people should seek testing and treatment if they have been having unprotected sex, particularly with multiple partners.

Free testing and treatment is available at local county health departments.