The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) has reported a four to fivefold increase in syphilis cases.

Before 2019, there was an average of fewer than 10 syphilis cases annually. The health unit says the number reached 50 reported cases in 2021.

Meanwhile, gonorrhea cases jumped annually from 120 in 2020 to 265 in 2021. The medical officer of health at SMDHU says many cases may have gone unreported.

Dr. Colin Lee says: "It is important to keep in mind that access to healthcare during the pandemic was limited, and the number of cases may be higher than we realize."

The health unit encourages sexually active individuals who have a new partner or multiple partners in the past two years, or have had unprotected sex, or have symptoms of sexually transmitted infections, to contact a healthcare provider.

Dr. Lee says many sexually transmitted infections go undiagnosed. "Symptoms do not always appear on people, or people do not realize that the symptoms are caused by a sexually transmitted infection, and the only way to know is to get tested."

Testing for sexually transmitted infections can include urine tests or blood analysis. SMDHU says: "Most sexually transmitted infections can be treated with free medications accessible through your healthcare provider."

Complete information about sexually transmitted infections, including symptoms and treatment, is available online or by calling 705-721-7520 to speak with a public health nurse for sexual health.