Health officials say an unusual cluster of syphilis infections has occurred in patients’ eyes in Michigan.
According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), five women in southwest Michigan contracted syphilis eye infections after having unprotected sex with the same man they all met online.
Syphilis is a potentially fatal sexually transmitted bacterial infection that spreads through skin-to-skin contact with an infected sore – called a chancre – that develops around the genitals.
However, if the disease is left untreated, the pathogen that causes the disease can spread to the eyes, inner ear or central nervous system.
Syphilis, caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum, is notoriously difficult to diagnose.
Syphilis of the eye occurs in only four percent of infected people
Five women from southwest Michigan contracted a syphilis eye infection after having unprotected sex with the same man. They all met online
The symptoms are similar to those of other diseases: a runny nose and sore throat. Sufferers develop ulcers, even if they are small and are often ignored.
Unlike other sexually transmitted diseases, which only affect the eye when it comes into contact with infected fluid, syphilis bacteria can travel through the bloodstream.
It can invade other organs and body systems, including the nervous system, where it can cause a stroke, and the eyes, which can cause blindness.
According to the CDC, ocular syphilis can affect any part of the organ, but most commonly causes inflammation of the middle layer of the eye.
Symptoms may include red eyes, eye pain, sensitivity to light, abnormal eye movements, eye floaters (spots that look like black or gray dots or threads that float across the eyes), and blurred or lost vision.
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In January 2022, a man goes to the emergency room complaining of genital sores. According to the latest CDC report, he was not tested for syphilis.
One of his sex partners was referred to the hospital by an ophthalmologist in March 2022 after she complained of blurred vision and feared she was going blind.
She also had genital sores that were misdiagnosed as herpes and treated with an antiviral drug.
Experts say this is a common mistake. Herpes is about ten times more common than syphilis.
Each year, approximately 55,000 Americans are diagnosed with syphilis 1.6 million cases of chlamydia – the most common sexually transmitted disease.
In April 2022, another patient was admitted to the same hospital with headache, mild hearing loss and worsening blurred vision and double vision.
She also slept with the same man.
In May, another of the man’s friends went to the doctor with a rash all over her body and scaly skin on her palms.
She also had spots that floated in her vision and sensitivity to light.
A fourth woman was diagnosed with ocular syphilis in June and a fifth case was discovered at a hospital Eye clinic in July.
All women were between 40 and 60 years old.
The man in question was repeatedly contacted by phone and text by disease intervention specialists at the Michigan Health Department.
He provided minimal information and said he did not respond to officials because of his travels.
He attended an appointment in May 2022 and was found to have no obvious signs of the infection as his ulcers had healed. He was diagnosed with early latent syphilis, with the sexually transmitted disease occurring in the past year.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
