Topic: Syphilis
Description
Syphilis is a curable sexually transmissible infection (STI). It is caused by a bacteria called Treponema pallidum.
Syphilis is not uncommon. There may be 800 or so people in Queensland infected with syphilis each year.
At first, it causes sores or ulcers on the genitals. Sometimes these may be internal and go unnoticed eg. on the cervix. If it is not treated, the infection then spreads through the body and may infect the brain and other organs. It has serious long term effects.
Symptoms
The first sign of syphilis is a painless sore or ulcer, usually on the genitals. After a person is infected with syphilis, a sore or ulcer appears. This is usually on the genitals although it can occur somewhere else on the body. The sore or ulcer is usually not painful, and because of this, may not be noticed. If it is not treated, the sore or ulcer will heal and go away. However, the syphilis infection remains in the body.
Transmission
You can get syphilis through sexual contact with a person who has syphilis. This can be through vaginal, anal or oral sex. Syphilis can also be passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy.
Treatment
Usually, blood tests will be taken. However, swabs can be taken from the ulcer or sore of early syphilis infection and tested for syphilis. Some people with syphilis have other sexually transmissible infections. Tests for other STIs should be done at the same time.
If you find out that you do have syphilis, people you have had sex with need to be tested and treated. This may include everybody you have had sex with during the past three months. This is to see if they have the infection and need treatment. If you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about telling your partner or partners, the doctor, nurse or health worker can contact them. This is a confidential process and your name will not be mentioned. This is very important for your health, for your partner’s health, and the health of other people they have sex with.
The most effective treatment for syphilis is a course of penicillin injections. If you are allergic or sensitive to penicillin, your doctor will discuss the best treatment choice with you.
To ensure the infection has been cured:
- it is important to finish the course of treatment, otherwise the infection may not be properly cured
- do not have sex until your doctor says it is safe – otherwise you can pass the infection on
Even after treatment, your blood tests will always show positive for syphilis. This does not mean you are still infected, but shows you have had syphilis in the past.
Health Outcome
If the first signs of syphilis are not treated, the next sign of syphilis may be a rash all over the body, hair loss or eyebrow loss. The infected person may develop a rash. This rash may be all over the body, including the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands. In most people, it is not itchy. During this time, there may also be painless warty lumps around the genital area, hair loss, eyebrow loss, swelling of the lymph glands and other complications. If the infection is not treated, the rash will go away, although it may come and go for up to a year. However, the syphilis infection still remains in the body and people can still infect their sexual partners during this time.
If still not treated over time (which may be many years), the syphilis infection invades different parts of the body. In particular, it causes problems with nerves, the brain and the large blood vessels near the heart. It can pass, via the placenta, to an unborn baby.
If syphilis is not treated, it can also continue to be passed on to sexual partners for about two years. Syphilis also increases the risk of the spread of HIV and HIV being passed to unborn babies.
Prevention
You should not have sex with someone who has a visible genital ulcer or sore. Genital ulcers or sores could be due to some other sexually transmissible infection – such as herpes, genital warts, molluscum or scabies. If your sexual partner or intended sexual partner has a genital sore or ulcer, advise that person to have a sexual health check.
Practice safer sex. Always using condoms when you have vaginal or anal sex is the best way to reduce your risk of getting syphilis.
If you are giving a man oral sex (his penis in your mouth), then he will need to wear a condom. It does not matter whether you are male or female, if you put your mouth in contact with your partner’s anus or vulva while having sex you will need to use a dental dam.
Help and Assistance
For more information on syphilis, you can talk to:
- your local doctor
- your local sexual health clinic
- your local family planning clinic.
Other Resources
Queensland Health - Sexual Health website
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Last Updated: 12th October, 2009
Date Valid to: 30th June, 2010
