Syphilis infections are the highest since 1949, according to new figures.
Syphilis is at its highest level since 1949
Public Health England said infections have soared a whopping 97% since 2012, with 5,920 new cases diagnosed last year.
But while many of us have a rough idea about some of the symptoms – there are some that might not be so obvious.
Here is everything you need to know.
What is syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that is caught by having sex with someone who is infected.
It is a bacterial infection and is easily treated with antibiotics in the early stages.
If syphilis is not treated however, it can cause serious problems including spreading to the brain and other parts of the body and causing serious, long-term problems, according to the NHS.
Syphilis infections in pregnant women can cause miscarriage, stillbirth and infection to the baby.
How the infection is spread
Anyone sexually active is at risk.
Syphilis is usually caught through contact with an infected sore, usually through vaginal, anal or oral sex or by sharing sex toys.
Pregnant women can also pass on the infection to their unborn children and drug takers who share needles can pass on the disease if sharing with someone who is infected.
You can also catch syphilis via blood transfusions – although all samples are tested in the UK.
Syphilis can not be spread via toilets, clothing or cutlery but the infection can be caught more than once.
Symptoms of syphilis
Contrary to what many think – syphilis symptoms aren’t always obvious. Some people may even have no symptoms at all.
Symptoms may even disappear on their own but this doesn’t mean the infection has gone.
Symptoms to watch out for include:
- Small, painless sores or ulcers that typically appear on the penis, vagina, or around the anus, but can occur in other places such as the mouth
- A blotchy red rash that often affects the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- Small skin growths (similar to genital warts) that may develop on the vulva in women or around the anus in both men and women
- White patches in the mouth
- Tiredness, headaches, joint pains
- A high temperature (fever)
- Swollen glands in your neck, groin or armpits
If you think you may have syphilis…
Make sure you got for a test at your local doctor’s surgery, GUM or sexual health clinic.
The infection wasn’t usually of away on its own and tests are the only way to discover whether you have it.
Medicines for syphilis are prescription only as well and if it isn’t treated you risk passing it on to others.
Testing for syphilis is usually via a blood test and taking a sample of fluid from any sores using a swab.
Syphilis treatments
This is usually an injection of antibiotics, giving in the buttocks.
Most people need only one injection but those who may have had the disease a while may need three injections weekly.
For those who don’t want the injection, there is a course of antibiotic tablets that last between two or four weeks.
It goes without saying – once diagnosed, you shouldn’t have any kind of sexual activity or sexual contact with anyone.
Doctors advice waiting at least two weeks after treatments have been completed before engaging in any sexual activity again.
Preventing against syphilis
As with all sexually transmitted infections, experts advise using male or female condoms during sex and a dental dam during oral sex.
Sex toys shouldn’t be shared either and if you are a drug user – don’t share needles.
More information is available via the NHS website.
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