Ep149: Could it be syphilis?

About this episode

This episode discusses the resurgence of syphilis in Australia and its implications as a significant public health concern.

Syphilis is often thought of as a disease from the historic literature, but in August last year, it was declared a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance by Australia’s Chief Medical Officer. Case numbers have grown year on year since it became a notifiable disease in 2004, peaking at around six and a half thousand in 2023. Syphilis is sometimes described as ‘the great imitator’ because it can have so many different presentations. And it can hide away for years before re...

Topics covered

• syphilis
• communicable diseases
• public health
• disease presentation
• national significance

Keywords

• syphilis
• communicable disease
• health incident
• disease presentation
• Australia

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Australia’s Chief Medical Officer

Places: Australia

More episodes of Pomegranate Health

• [Contagious Conversations] Responding to vaccine hesitancy · May 4, 2026 · 51 min
• REWIND<< Genomics for the generalist · April 21, 2026 · 49 min
• Ep146: Dealing with the next pandemic 2- lockdowns and human rights · April 5, 2026 · 57 min
• Ep145: Dealing with the next pandemic 1- border closures and vaccine mandates · March 30, 2026 · 1h 7m
• [Case Report] 62yo undergoing procedure for a lung nodule · March 15, 2026 · 26 min
• Ep143: On the ground with MSF · March 1, 2026 · 1h 5m