What is Syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by bacteria. At present it is rare in Nunavut, but due to many people having unprotected sex here, syphilis may become more common.

The disease has three stages. In the first two stages, syphilis is easily passed on during unprotected sex. These two stages can last for up to a year.

If syphilis is not treated in the early stages, it will go through a long stage in which the person may not see or feel any physical signs of the disease, and it may not be passed on to others—it may seem like the disease is gone, however, the third stage will eventually set in.

How is Syphilis spread?
Bacteria that cause syphilis are spread from person to person through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. Using a condom every time you have sex will prevent the germ from being passed from person to person. Syphilis can also be spread from an infected pregnant woman to her unborn child, causing birth defects, or possibly even death.

How do I know if I have syphilis?
Be aware of your body and any changes that may be taking place. Give yourself an occasional check up so that you know if something unusual, such as a blister or sore appears on your body.

• Painless reddish-brown sores show up on the private parts, bum, breasts, mouth or fingers.
• These sores can appear 3 to 12 weeks after being in contact with the germ, and they can last for 1 to 5 weeks.
• These sores may go away if they are not treated, but you will still have syphilis.
• A rash will appear on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet or anywhere on the body. You may also have a sore stomach and fever (like the flu).
• The rash can appear from 1 week to 6 months after the sores from stage 1 have healed.
• The signs may go away, but you will still have syphilis.
• After a long stage of up to many years, syphilis may cause heart disease, liver, eye, and brain damage and death.

How do I get tested for syphilis and how do I treat it?
A blood test from your health care provider will tell you if you have syphilis. If you have another STD, such as chlamydia, it is a good idea to get tested for syphilis, too. In Nunavut, all pregnant women are tested for syphilis in a prenatal check up.

If it is treated in the early stages, syphilis can be cured with antibiotics. The first two stages of syphilis are not painful, so it is important to look at your body to see if you have physical signs of any STD.