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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Five confirmed cases of syphilis have been reported this past month, raising the 2008 total to eight.

Health officials won't say where the cases have been reported but did say it involves two communities in the NWT.

Dixie Bezaire, co-owner of Sutherland's Drug Store, holds up some of the more popular forms of contraceptives they sell. Bezaire said teens and adults purchase condoms on a regular basis and the female condom tends to be less popular. - Andrew Livingstone/NNSL photo

Dr. Andre Corriveau, chief medical officer for the NWT, said in his first 13 years in the territories only four isolated cases have come across his desk until this year. He said the increase may have arisen from people bringing the disease in from the south, especially Edmonton where the infection has seen a substantial growth in recent years.

"We have some people who go down to Edmonton on a regular basis and could have contracted it," he said.

In 2007, the city of Edmonton had nine cases of congenital syphilis.

The recent outbreak involves people in their late 20s to early 40s, which Corriveau said is unusual.

"Most of our STIs are in the 15 to 25 and this is an older age group," he said. "With other STIs they usually peak in the early to late teens and this one seems to be within the next age group up."

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, syphilis is not easily detectable as not all persons infected will develop symptoms. Corriveau said those practising unprotected sex are 60 per cent more likely to catch the infection from someone who is carrying it. Called the 'great imitator,' the infections' wide range of symptoms can sometimes mislead healthcare professionals and those who might be infected.

The consequences of syphilis being left untreated can cause serious health issues.

"If it's not treated it can go into a dormant phase and resurface and cause all kinds of problems with major organs of the body," Corriveau said.

The Public Health Agency of Canada website classifies syphilis into two early stages. The primary stage is usually characterized by a painless open sore called a chancre. It can appear on the body where the bacteria entered. This happens weeks to months after the initial infection. Because it is painless an infected person may not realize they have contracted it and could allow it to progress into the secondary stage. This stage is characterized by patchy hair loss, and a rash somewhere on the body but more likely on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Symptoms can include swollen glands, fever and muscle and joint pains. These symptoms will disappear without treatment.

After approximately two years syphilis goes into a latent or dormant state and may progress to tertiary syphilis and affect the brain, the blood vessels, the heart or the bones. The disease is potentially fatal if not treated.

The disease can also be dangerous to pregnant women. If not treated the infection can be passed on to the baby, causing congenital syphilis.

"The baby could be born with serious brain damage, if not still-born," Corriveau said.

Dixie Bezaire, co-owner of Sutherland's Drug Store, said they sell a lot of condoms to people of all ages, ranging from teens onward. However she is still concerned that certain age groups might not be aware of it.

"A lot of young people could be spreading (STIs) unknowingly," she said. "It's not good."

Yellowknife resident Ayla Davidson is concerned about it because of the possible long-term health effects that can come from contracting the infection and not properly dealing with it.

"You can die if it's not treated," she said. "It also concerns me because there are a lot of homeless people without adequate healthcare."

Making smart decisions will help prevent contracting the infection. Corriveau said using condoms or abstaining from sex can help lessen the chance of getting the infection.

"Barrier methods like condoms can make an impact but it can be spread through other ways," he said. "It's all about being aware that when you have unprotected sex or with people you don't know you're putting yourself at a very high risk. It's important to get tested if you think you've had at-risk sexual exposure."

Corriveau said people who have unprotected sex, sex with prostitutes or homosexual men should be tested for the infection. He also said it's important to avoid sexual activity until you know you are clear.