“Green October” campaign launches with rapid tests for syphilis in Saquarema | Saquarema

Saquarema begins ‘Green October’ campaign with rapid tests for syphilis
Disclosure / Saquarema City Hall

Published on 06/10/2023 at 21:45

Saquarema – With the aim of raising awareness and preventing sexually transmitted diseases, the City of Saquarema, through the Municipal Health Department, has initiated the “Green October” campaign. Focusing on the prevention and treatment of syphilis and congenital syphilis cases, the city municipality offers free rapid tests in all health centers in the city.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a silent sexually transmitted infection (STI), which can be serious and affects a large portion of the Brazilian population. It is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse or contact with contaminated blood. The congenital form is transmitted from a mother with untreated or inadequately treated syphilis to the fetus during pregnancy or childbirth.

Syphilis often does not show obvious symptoms, but it can become serious and cause complications in internal organs. Moreover, the infection has different stages. The initial stage is characterized by a single, painless wound with well-defined, indurated edges. The secondary stage begins after the ulcer has healed – the lesion usually heals without any type of intervention. The third stage is characterized by tissue destruction and can affect the heart, blood vessels, nervous system, and bones.

During pregnancy, syphilis can cause miscarriage, prematurity, and neurological sequelae, in addition to causing neonatal death. Prenatal care is important to identify the disease. Babies born to infected mothers are considered a potential risk of infection, even if the mothers receive treatment.

Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent the spread of the disease. Although it is a treatable and curable disease, it does not generate immunity. Therefore, a person can become infected again if he has unprotected sex with an infected person. The use of condoms in all sexual relations and regular testing are crucial measures for early diagnosis.

In the case of congenital syphilis, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment ensure a healthy start to the newborn’s life. Treatment is carried out using medications available in health units. Tests can be taken Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the following units:

ESF Agua Branca – Estrada da Agua Branca, s/n°, Agua Branca
ESF Bacaxa – Rua Alfredo Menezes, No. 980, Bacaxa
ESF Barra Nova – Av
ESF Barreira – Rua Capitão Nunes, 2601, Barreira
ESF Bicuiba – Estrada da Bicuiba, s/n°, Bicuiba
ESF Bonsucesso – Rua Armando Rodriguez, Bonsucesso
ESF Jaconi – Rua 98 and 13, s/n°, Jaconi
ESF Jardim Ipitangas – Rua Teresópolis, corner RJ 102 (Estrada de Praia Seca)
ESF Mombaça – Estrada da Mombasa, s/n°, Mombasa
ESF Palmital – Rua Antonio Gomez Machado Filho, s/n, Palmital
ESF Rio Daría – Estrada Latino Melo, S/N, Rio Daría
ESF Rio Mole – Rodovia Amaral Peixoto, Km 58, Rio Mole
ESF Rio Seco – Rua Oliveira Viana, s/n, Rio Seco
ESF Sampaio Correa – Rua Miguel Arcanjo Serafeim, s/n, Basilia (next to the Municipal Education Center Jurander da Silva Melo)
ESF Saquarema – Rua Ricardo Barbosa, 134, Centro
ESF Villatore – Rua Praia Punta de Itapaga, s/n, Villatore
UPS Injinho Grande – Estrada do Injinho Grande, s/n, Injinho Grande

The City Hall also offers assistance with the Specialized Customer Service (SAE), located at Rua Waldir Macedo da Silva, 180, Casa 1, in Verde Vale. The program includes free consultations and medications for patients who are treated or referred by other health services in the city.