Syphilis
What is it?
Syphilis is caused by a bug called a treponeme, which is like a bacteria. It is usually sexually transmitted, but can also be passed from a mother to her unborn child. The infection has several stages. The primary and secondary stages are very infectious. It is becoming more common, particularly amongst men who have sex with men.
Symptoms
Primary stage:
* Painless sores appear at the place where the infection entered the body, which can be anywhere but usually around the genital or rectum (back passage). These sores are very infectious and may take up to six weeks to heal.
Secondary stage:
This occurs if the primary stage is not treated and can include:
* A non-itchy rash
* Hair loss
* Flu-like symptoms
* Flat, wart-like growths around the genitals
* White patches in the mouth
If you leave the infection untreated latent stage syphilis will eventually occur:
Latent stage would usually occur after about 10 years.
The heart and nervous system can be affected
Diagnosis
It is diagnosed either by taking a scraping from the ulcer or by a blood test. The blood test may take up to three months to become positive after you have been exposed to this bug.
Treatment
The infection can be treated with penicillin, or sometimes other antibiotics. The sooner it is treated the better. You will need to be followed up with blood tests to make sure the infection has been treated.
Prevention
Don’t feel pressured into saying yes to having sex. It’s ok to say no. Remember the more people you have sex with the more likely you are to be infected. If you are sexually active, have regular screening and make sure your partner is screened too. Use condoms, although they are not 100%, they will reduce your chances of getting infections if they are used correctly EVERY time you have sex.
