Syphilis

Syphilis is a serious disease that can affect your entire body. If not treated, syphilis may cause serious health problems years later, such as heart or brain damage.

You can have it without knowing and pass it on to others.

Syphilis can be spread during oral, vaginal or anal sex.

Pregnant women with syphilis can give it to their unborn child, sometimes causing birth defects - even death.

The symptoms and signs

Sores often go unnoticed and may disappear on their own if not treated, but the infection is still active. Symptoms may appear from days to months after infection.

• painless sore around or in the vagina, on the penis, inside the mouth or near the anus
• "flu"-like symptoms
• rash on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or over the whole body.

A simple blood test can tell whether you have been exposed to syphilis.

Syphilis is cured with antibiotics.

If you have syphilis, your partner(s) will need to know so that they can see their doctor and possibly be treated. Re-infection from an untreated partner can happen.

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