04/01/2026
As of 2025, syphilis rates in Onondaga county are the highest they've been since 1950! Listen to the wise, totally-not-based-on-an-existing-mascot bear: get tested regularly and use barrier protection each and every time.
Why is it so important to be treating (and hopefully avoiding) syphilis? If untreated, it can lead to nerve damage, heart problems, and even death. Luckily, it can be treated with antibiotics after diagnosis and cleared from the body, it's just a matter of staying on top of things!
One last important note: syphilis can be spread through skin-to-skin contact. This means that sometimes, even barrier methods won't be enough, which is why it's so important to make sure that your sexual partners are up to date with testing too.
Strokey knows this is a lot of info. If you have more questions or are curious about testing centers nearby, send us a DM or get in touch with the S*xual Wellness Center downtown, located in the basement of the Civic Center.
