Syphilis
Syphilis can be hard to spot and is very easily transmitted through unprotected sex. If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious health problems.
How it’s caught
Syphilis is most commonly spread through unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex. It can also be passed to a baby during pregnancy and childbirth.
Symptoms
Many people will show no signs of syphilis infection.. The early stage symptoms of syphilis might include a painless sore or ulcer at the site where the infection first entered the body. Later symptoms include rash, swollen glands, general fatigue, tummy upset, liver inflammation. Often these symptoms go away without treatment, but without treatment the infection will still be in the body and can cause more serious problems later..
Testing
Syphilis is tested using a blood test. If you have symptoms an examination may be recommended, and if an ulcer is present, a swab test is usually taken too.
Treatment
Syphilis is treated with a course of antibiotic injections. The length of treatment depends on how long you have had the infection.
More information can be found here.
It is important that any sexual partners are tested and treated for infections as necessary.
It is important to abstain from sex until 2 weeks after you (and your partner if needed) have completed treatment.
