Syphilis

An old-school STI that's making an unwelcome comeback. Find out the facts right here.

What is it?

A sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria called treponema pallidum.

How is it caught?

Syphilis is passed on through contact with an ulcer (see symptoms) on the skin, genitals, mouth or anus.

What are the symptoms?

Syphilis infection goes through four different stages:

Primary stage:

• An ulcer appears two to six weeks after being infected;
• It is called a chancre (pronounced 'shanker') and is usually painless;
• The ulcer appears where the bacteria got into the body;
• Many people do not notice that they have a chancre, especially if it's in the anus or inside the vagina;
• It disappears several weeks later without treatment - but the disease has NOT gone away, it is gathering forces for stage two.

• A skin rash begins, with brownish sores about the size of a one or two pence piece;
• They are found all over the body, especially on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, and are infectious;
• There is sore throat, fever and headache;
• There may be wart-like growths on the genitals.

Tests and treatment

Scrapings are taken from sores and ulcers, and a blood test may be needed. Treatment is easy - a high dose injection of penicillin will kill the bacteria within 24 hours.

Complications

If the secondary stage is left untreated, the disease goes into a latent stage. There are no symptoms and the person is not infectious, but it doesn't always go away for good. If the bacteria become active again, the disease goes to the tertiary stage. This final stage of the illness can cause blindness, mental illness, heart disease, damage to the joints, and even death. A woman can infect her baby during pregnancy, causing a miscarriage or stillbirth.

If you think you might have a sexually transmitted infection, sort it out straight away. Go to your nearest genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic, available at most large hospitals. GUM clinics give free and confidential advice and treatment. Or you can make an appointment to see your GP.

Reduce your risk of infection. Make sex safer by using condoms every time.