Syphilis in Argentina: beyond the numbers

Abstract

In recent years, syphilis has experienced a steady increase in Argentina, becoming one of the main challenges in the field of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This upward trend, observed since the middle of the last decade, is reflected in the increase in notification rates, particularly among adolescents and young adults. According to data from Bulletin No. 42 on the Response to HIV and STIs in Argentina (1), the syphilis rate rose from 56.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2019 to 93 per 100,000 in 2024. The trend continued in 2025, with 46,613 confirmed cases, 71 % more than the median for the period 2020-2024 (2). It should be noted that the actual magnitude of the problem could be greater if underreporting of cases is taken into account.

This scenario poses a specific health challenge. However, it is not enough to understand the phenomenon solely from the figures. Epidemiological data describe the magnitude of the problem, but do not fully explain its determinants. There is a less visible side to the STI epidemic, linked to biomedical, social, and cultural transformations that have changed sexual behaviors and perceptions of risk.