Ina Park, MD, on Syphilis: The STI That Keeps Us Guessing
Description
Ina Park, MD, is back again for a focused look at her (second) favorite sexually transmitted infection: syphilis (favorite because it’s fascinating). She says, “it’s one of the most challenging conditions to diagnose in clinical medicine because it literally can look like anything.” Join Ina and Tammy as they explore how syphilis was almost eliminated around 2000 and then surged again to current rates of infection in the US. Ina spotlights how a rise in congenital syphilis has fueled a mobilization in public health efforts, even while she celebrates declines in rates of the most infectious types of syphilis. As national syphilis screening guidelines are adapted to increase screening, including in emergency departments, Ina is optimistic for a reduction in future syphilis rates. But here’s the takeaway for healthcare providers and patients alike: keep syphilis on your radar. A quick shot of penicillin early-on can save everyone a lot of trouble.
Links:
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Connect with Dr. Ina Park on her website, LinkedIn, X, and Instagram
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Resources mentioned in episode
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CAPTC related training and resources
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Previous episodes with Dr. Ina Park
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Dr. Ina Park Unwraps the CDC’s New 2023 STI Report<span class="EOP SCXW55706186 BC
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United States
