Yellowknife (Nov 10/04) - There was a great deal of concern in Nunavut's Public Health circles when an unwelcome visitor from the past returned to pay the territory a visit last month.

After a 14-year absence, Nunavut registered its first case of syphilis.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a bacterium.

About 10 years ago, many people thought syphilis had been eradicated in Canada.

As part of the safe-sex movement following the discovery of HIV, the number of cases of syphilis began to dramatically decline.

By the early 1990s, syphilis was very rare in Canada.

However, during the past five years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of infections.

There were a series of outbreaks in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

And then, early this year, Winnipeg began to notice an increase in the number of cases it was experiencing.

With the amount of traffic between the Kivalliq and Winnipeg, it was only a matter of time before syphilis reared its head in our region.

Syphilis is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person.

The contact can be genital, oral or anal. Sometimes, a pregnant woman can spread the disease to her unborn child.

Although rare, a person can also get syphilis through sharing needles with an infected person.

Syphilis is diagnosed with a blood test and can be treated with antibiotics.

The antibiotics are given via needle and, compared to most, can be rather painful.

The symptoms of syphilis can vary from person to person.

Some people experience no symptoms, while others experience a multitude.

Symptoms of syphilis include open sores on the genitals, patchy hair loss, a rash on the feet and palms, swollen glands, joint pain, muscle pain and fever.

At its worse point, syphilis can cause brain and heart damage.

How do you protect yourself against syphilis?

Since syphilis is sexually transmitted, the key is to practise safer sex.

Through this practice, you can greatly reduce your risk of any sexual infection.

The key elements of safer sex include: learning the correct use of condoms; talking to you partner about their sexual practices and values; getting tested if you have ever participated in high-risk behaviours such as working in the sex trade, having multiple sexual partners or injecting intravenous drugs.

At its worst early

Our concern at Public Health is that the first case of syphilis within the region may only be the tip of the iceberg.

Since the symptoms begin so vaguely, many people may not be aware of their infection.

Syphilis is most contagious before the most menacing symptoms appear.

If you have any questions about syphilis or other sexually transmitted infections, please contact your health centre.

Your health centre can provide a broad range of services, including testing and counselling.

Protect yourself and be safe.

- Fred Montpetit is a public health nurse in Rankin Inlet