Introduction

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that's usually caught by having sex with someone who's infected.

It's important to get tested and treated as soon as possible if you think you might have syphilis, as it can cause serious problems if it's left untreated.

Itcan usually becured with ashort course of Penicillin .

You can catch syphilis more than once, even if you've been treated for it before.

This page covers:

Symptoms of syphilis

What to do if you think you have syphilis

Treatments for syphilis

How syphilis is spread

Preventing syphilis

Syphilis in pregnancy

Symptoms of syphilis

The symptoms of syphilis aren't always obvious and may eventually disappear, but you'll usually remain infected unless you get treated.

Some people with syphilis have no symptoms.

Symptoms can include:

• small, painless sores or ulcers that typically appear on the penis, vagina, or around the anus, but can occur in other places such as the mouth
• a blotchy red rash that often affects the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
• small skin growths (similar to genital warts ) that may develop on the vulva in women or around the anus in both men and women
• white patches in the mouth
• tiredness, headaches , joint pains , a high temperature (fever), and swollen glands in your neck, groin or armpits

If it's left untreated for years, syphilis can spread to the brain or other parts of the body and cause serious, long-term problems.

This usually happens during vaginal, anal or oral sex, or by sharing sex toys with someone who's infected. Anyone who's sexually active is potentially at risk.

Pregnant women with syphilis can also pass the infectiontotheir unborn baby. below.

It may be possible to catch syphilis if you're an injecting drug user and you shareneedles with somebody who's infected, orthrough blood transfusions (this is very rare in the UK as all blood donations are tested for syphilis).

Syphilis can't be spread by using the same toilet, clothing, cutlery or bathroom as an infected person.

Preventing syphilis

Syphilis can't always be prevented, but if you're sexually active you can reduce your risk by practising safer sex:

• use a male condom or female condom during vaginal, oral and anal sex
• use a dental dam (a square of plastic) during oral sex
• avoid sharing sex toysif you do share them, wash themand cover them with a condom before each use

These measures can also reduce your risk of catching other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) .

If you're an injecting drug user, don't use other people's needles or share your needles with others.