Re: “Syphilis cases jump in central Alberta,” July 18.
This is the first time I’ve written a letter to the editor during my very long lifetime.
What prompted me to do so, was a recent article by Susan Zielinski. In it, she quoted Aisley Miles, harm reduction manager at Turning Point.
The statement is this: “It goes to show we really need to open up the conversation about testing. Encourage each other to be tested if we’re sexually active.”
It is this writer’s opinion that Miles should give some clarification to the public regarding her words “sexually active,” because usually, married persons are sexually active, however in no danger of contracting a sexually transmitted disease if that relationship remains with only one person.
My understanding from way back (my Grade 8 school health class), is that syphilis is usually contracted and spread through having indiscriminate, casual, sexual relationships with more than one person.
As syphilis is reported to be on the rise, it could be very helpful, particularly to many young people, for Miles to mention in her comments what causes this serious disease to spread.
Coralie Bond, Innisfail