Congenital syphilis on the rise locally and nationwide
According to the Shelby County Health Department Office of Epidemiology, congenital syphilis rates in the county more than doubled over the five-year period from 2017 to 2021. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
For infants born with the infection, severe symptoms can include cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, permanent hearing loss and musculoskeletal deformity.
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Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Dr. Nick Hysmith Dr. Sara Cross Syphilis Shelby County Health Department Subscriber OnlyThank you for supporting local journalism.
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Aisling Mäki
Aisling Mäki has been writing about Memphis since she moved to the city more than 20 years ago. She’s worked for print, digital and broadcast news outlets, including Memphis Daily News and Action News 5 (WMC), as well as public relations agencies. Her work has earned awards from The Associated Press, Tennessee Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists and Public Relations Society of America.
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