What is Syphilis
Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It is generally transmitted during sexual intercourse via direct contact with an infectious lesion. Untreated infections are categorised as either early or late syphilis with further classifications under each stage.
Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics, but you will have antibodies present in your bloodstream which may turn a test positive if you take the wrong type. Infection rates are highest amongst men who have sex with men (MSM).
Where to get help in Bexley?
If you think you might have Syphilis or want to get tested, you can visit your local sexual health clinic or GP in the London Borough of Bexley. They can provide confidential testing and treatment. You can also order a free self-test kit if you're under 25.
For more information, visit the NHS website or contact your local healthcare provider.
Syphilis is mostly transmitted via unprotected sexual intercourse. The infection is passed on via direct contact with an infected sore or lesion. Other ways it can be transmitted is via sharing needles, from parent to baby during pregnancy or rarely via blood transfusion or organ donation.
It can take up to 3 weeks for symptoms to appear after infection. Males and females experience the same symptoms. These can include:
- Small ulcers on your genitals, anus, mouth or hands. These are usually painless
- White or grey warty growths around the genitals or anus
- A non-itchy rash on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- Flu-like symptoms: fever, swollen glands, headaches and tiredness/fatigue
- White patches inside your mouth
- Patchy hair loss on your head or facial hair (beard and/or eyebrows)
Sometimes these symptoms can improve or disappear completely without treatment however, this does not mean you are cured. You will still have the infection and can still pass it on until you have been treated. Untreated syphilis can lead to serious health problems.
Syphilis may not always come with symptoms, and the symptoms presented may be the same as other diseases. It is important to test so you can be treated as soon as possible to avoid complications. If you have had syphilis in the past, you can be reinfected as the antibodies present are not enough to fight off the infection alone.
It is important to note that if you have had syphilis in the past, you will need a different type of blood test called RPR. Please ensure you input the correct information on the order form or tell the doctor, nurse or pharmacist that you have been treated for syphilis in the past. Taking the wrong type of test may result in a false-positive due to the antibodies present in your blood.
- Use Condoms: Consistently using condoms during sex can significantly reduce the risk of STIs.
- Get Regular Screenings: Regular STI screenings are crucial, especially if you have multiple partners.
- Communicate with Partners: Open and honest communication with sexual partners about STI testing and protection is essential.
- Avoid sharing needles: If you inject recreational drugs, use a new needle each time to avoid transmission of infections and do not share needles with anyone else.
Syphilis is treated with penicillin antibiotics. This may either be injections or a course of tablets. If you are allergic to penicillin, an alternative may be offered. If left untreated, around a third of cases develop into later stages, which lead to severe, sometimes irreversible complications.
If you have symptoms, a doctor or nurse may take a swab sample of any lesions or ulcers, your genitals may also need to be examined. You will need to have a blood sample taken and be offered tests for other STIs at the same time.
You may be given treatment before your results are ready, the duration depends on the stage of syphilis you are diagnosed with. You will need to return to the clinic 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment has started, for a retest. You will be strongly advised to contact your previous sexual partner(s).
This will be strongly advised during your appointment, or once you have received a positive test. If you do not feel comfortable informing your partner(s) yourself, a doctor or nurse can do this for you anonymously.
Complications develop during final-stage Syphilis infection. These include:
- Neurosyphilis (brain infection). This can also occur at any stage of infection.
- Cardiovascular (heart) complications including aneurysm.
- Gummatous disease (small, non-cancerous tumours caused by inflammation).
If you are pregnant, you can pass syphilis onto your baby, it is transmitted via the placenta into the baby’s bloodstream. If left untreated it can cause serious pregnancy complications or congenital syphilis which is categorised as either early (before 2 years of life) or late (after 2 years of life). If left untreated, it follows the general pattern of primary, secondary, and rarely latent, and final stage. It is also possible to develop neurosyphilis.
Pregnancy complications may include:
- Miscarriage or stillbirth
- Premature labour and/or birth
- Severe foetal swelling due to excess fluid
- Abnormal amount of amniotic fluid which can cause placental abruption (where the placenta detaches from the uterus) or postpartum haemorrhage (excessive bleeding after birth)
Symptoms of congenital syphilis may include:
- Rashes on the body
- Enlarged spleen or liver
- Anaemia
- Abnormal X-rays
- Jaundice
- Enlarged glands