Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be scary to think about, but the good news is: it’s treatable, and you’re not alone. The sooner you get tested and treated, the sooner you get back to thriving in life. So let’s break down what it is, how you get it, and how to treat it.

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a highly contagious STI that’s caused by a type of bacteria known as a Treponema pallidum. It’s passed on through skin-to skin contact with open sores and through unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex. It can also be transmitted from mother to child before or during birth.

How do I know I’ve got syphilis?

Following the initial infection, it can take anywhere from 10 days to three months before you’ll see the first symptoms, though the average is three weeks.

What are the symptoms of syphilis?

There are several stages of syphilis infection. The primary symptom is a sore on the vagina, penis, anus, lips or mouth. It doesn’t hurt and there’s usually only one, but there can be more. It can last up to six weeks, but because it’s painless it often goes unnoticed.

Other symptoms include:

- A reddish/brown rash that can appear anywhere on the body

- White patches on the tongue, sometimes called syphilis tongue

- Tiredness

- Swollen lymph nodes

- A sore throat

- Hair loss

- Headaches with a fever

- Weight loss.

These symptoms can come and go over approximately three months. They will go eventually but it won’t cure the syphilis.

It’s important to remember that these symptoms can also be a sign of other, more common, illnesses, such as a common cold or fever. The only way to know for sure is to get tested.

Is syphilis curable?

Yes, syphilis is curable with antibiotics. It’s important to start treatment as soon as possible though, because the treatment won’t reverse any damage the disease has already done to your body.

Treatment for syphilis

If you find a sore or rash or think you’ve put yourself at risk, see your doctor (GP), or go to your nearest GUM clinic. Caught in the primary or secondary stage, a scraping will be taken from the sores and a blood test may be needed for diagnosis.

Treatment is simple: primary and secondary syphilis can be treated with a high dose injection of penicillin, which will kill the bacteria within 24 hours.

Left until the latent stage, however, and treatment will require three injections given at weekly intervals. Antibiotics will be prescribed if you’re allergic to penicillin.

Treatment of tertiary syphilis requires longer courses of antibiotics and may need to be administered through the veins. However, while it may stop the spread of infection, it cannot repair any damage that has already been caused, which is why early testing and treatment is essential.

What happens if I don’t treat it?

Without treatment, the bacteria moves into the latent stage and starts affecting the bone marrow, lymph glands, vital organs and the central nervous system. This can last anything from a month to a patient’s entire lifetime. Syphilis also increases the risk of HIV infection because HIV can enter the body more easily when there’s a sore present.

As with most STIs, the earlier you catch it the easier it will be to treat.

Let any recent sexual partners know so they can get treated too—even if they don’t have any symptoms. If you’re struggling to communicate with your partner, here are a few helpful tips to get you started:

Be straightforward and honest

Remember, you’ve done the right thing by recognising this and looking after both of your sexual health. Try to stick to the facts to avoid the conversation becoming emotionally-charged.

Reassure them that it’s temporary

Once identified, syphilis can be treated easily. After a successful treatment, your normal sex life can resume after 2 weeks, but it’s always best to check with your GP or sexual health clinic.

Show you care

You took a test because you care, and you’re now showing this care towards your sexual partner. You’re prioritising you and your partner’s health and avoiding any future complications.

How do I protect myself from contracting syphilis?

Using a condom or dental dam during vaginal, anal and oral sex reduces the risk but won’t eliminate it, as it’s also possible to contract from skin-to-skin contact. It’s also best to avoid sharing sex toys.

The best way to protect yourself from syphilis (and any type of STI) is to practice safe sex and ask your partners about their sexual history – the more partners they’ve had, the higher the risk of infection.

How soon can I have sex again?

While the recommended time is 2 weeks after treatment, it’s important to get the all clear from your GP before you have sex again. It’s also best to refrain from sex until any sores or rashes have fully healed.

Managing your emotions

Finding out that you’ve got syphilis can bring up a lot of emotions, all of which are completely valid. It’s important to look after your mental health during this time and remember that syphilis can be easily treated.

If you’ve read this far, then you already know the right steps to take in managing your sexual health. However, if your sexual health is affecting your mental health then it might be good to talk about it.

The Mix Community is a place to chat about anything you might be going through with other young people.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, or anxious about your upcoming results, here are a few things that might help:

Write down all of your worries

Our minds get really busy when we receive unexpected news. A great way to slow them down is to write out all of your thoughts on paper or your phone. This allows you to tackle each thought one by one and gives you back a sense of control. If you have any unanswered questions then make a note of them and ask your GP.

Limit screen time

When we’re feeling anxious about our health we’re more likely to doomscroll. This is when we search endlessly through the internet for information that either confirms or denies our thoughts. While finding relevant information about your sexual health can be beneficial, it’s easy to get lost down an internet rabbit hole.

Make sure to take breaks, set boundaries and limit your screen time if you find that you’re spending a lot of time browsing information that isn’t ultimately helpful.

Be proud of yourself

Receiving a positive STI test may affect your self-esteem and produce negative feelings. It’s important to remember that you have done the right thing by prioritising your health and the health of others.

For more resources on how to manage your mental health, check out our Mental Health section.