Syphilis is an infection caused by a bacterium calledTreponema pallidum.
Syphilis used to be a very common STI, but it became increasingly rare during the 20th century. The infection has, however, increased quite a bit in recent years among men who have sex with men.
Symptoms
Syphilis does not have any symptoms to begin with, so you could have the infection without realising. Visible symptoms arise in the form of small painless sores on or near the genitals, anus, or mouth and/or a rash, fever, nausea, and tiredness. The sores heal in four to eight weeks. The sores could, however, be so small that they can’t be seen. When the sores heal, the bacteria remain in the body, which means there is a risk of passing the infection on to others. You may also experience a skin rash at a later stage.
Seven to 10 weeks after the first sores you may get new symptoms; fever and swollen lymphatic glands are common symptoms. However, there are not always symptoms, or they are so mild that they go unnoticed. These first two phases are called early-stage syphilis, and during this time there is a high risk of passing the infection on to others during sexual contact.
If syphilis goes untreated it gradually enters a phase called late-stage syphilis, and this is when the infection can cause damage to the heart and brain, or practically any internal organ. Treatment prevents further damage, but any damage that’s already been done is permanent.
How is syphilis passed on?
Syphilis is transmitted through skin contact and through anal, vaginal, and oral sex. The infection can also be passed from mother to foetus during pregnancy. Syphilis can also be transmitted via blood. Since the infection is easily transmitted and it is hard to know if you have it, it’s important to get tested regularly and to protect yourself during sexual contact by using a condom. It can take anything from three weeks to three months before syphilis is detectable in a test. A syphilis test is a blood test and is always free of charge.
If you turn out to have syphilis, you will have to take part in contact tracing. In order to find others who may have syphilis, you’ll be asked who you’ve had sex with recently. It may feel a bit strange, but it’s a way of showing consideration for the people you’ve had sex with. It gives them an opportunity to check that they’re healthy.
Cure
Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics as it’s caused by a bacterium. The infection heals if treatment is followed.
