A syphilis awareness and education campaign for men makes some progress in B.C.

In adults, initial infection with syphilis can cause a small painless and temporary sore, sometimes on the genitals. As this sore can also occur inside the mouth or ano-genital tract, it can go unnoticed. After initial infection with this sexually transmitted infection (STI), the germs that cause syphilis can quickly spread throughout the body. If left untreated, syphilis can eventually cause serious complications that can affect the health of the eyes, brain, heart, liver, kidneys and other parts of the body. Syphilis testing occurs through a simple blood test, and effective treatment (antibiotics) is available. As with many other infections and conditions, the earlier syphilis is diagnosed and treated the better the outcome. People can become reinfected with syphilis after treatment, so some sexually active adults, regardless of past syphilis status, require frequent testing. 

However, because of the stealthy initial symptoms that are associated with syphilis, many people who have syphilis are not aware of their infection and can inadvertently pass it on. Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionally affected by syphilis. In Canada, there have also been increasing cases among young women.

In B.C.

A team of researchers at the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) launched a syphilis awareness and educational program in 2017 that ran for six months. For the campaign, which focused on MSM, engaging graphics were posted online on a dedicated website, social media and dating sites, as well as in bars, community centres, community-based organizations and clinics.

The campaign reached at least 1,700 people online and in print. According to the research team, anonymous surveys of clients at STI clinics in Vancouver revealed that people who saw the campaign “demonstrated greater knowledge of syphilis (81%) than those who did not see the campaign (74%).” Overall, syphilis testing rates in B.C. rose from 8,764 tests prior to the campaign to 9,749 tests afterward. However, this increase was not statistically significant.

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During the Canada Post strike announced September 25, 2025, the following measures will be undertaken to minimize service disruption to BC-CfE clients and providers.

  • The BC-CfE Laboratory has transitioned to private courier for delivery of outgoing reports and documents. Results required urgently can be faxed upon request. (Lab Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8775; FAX 604-806-9463)
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  • St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy has transitioned to private courier for delivery of medications. We recommend requesting medication at least 2 weeks in advance in case of delivery delays, particularly to rural/remote parts of BC. (Contact Information: Phone 1-800-547-3622; FAX 604-806-8675)

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The BC-CfE Laboratory is streamlining reporting processes for certain tests in order to simplify distribution and record-keeping, and to ensure completeness of results. Beginning September 2, 2025, results for the ‘Resistance Analysis of HIV-1 Protease and Reverse Transcriptase’ (Protease-RT) and ‘HIV-1 Integrase Resistance Genotype’ tests will be combined into a single ‘HIV-1 Resistance Genotype Report’.
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