The Pittsburgh area is seeing a dramatic increase in new syphilis cases, primarily among men who have reported having sex with other men.
The Allegheny County Health Department says 90 percent of the new cases were men, the majority of them reporting same-sex contact.
The county has tracked 98 early-stage syphilis cases through Nov. 10, up from 56 by the same date last year.
Dr. Harold Wiesenfeld, who directs the county's Sexually Transmitted Diseases Program, says the increase is "obviously due to ongoing risky sexual behavior."
The health department says 39 percent of the men who reported new syphilis infections so far this year are also HIV positive. Officials say syphilis can increase a person's chances of contracting HIV.
Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics, but can lead to fatal heart and neurological problems if untreated.
