Do I have Syphilis?

Syphilis

Published April 21 2020 inSTIs

3 minutes read

Syphilis cases are on the rise in Victoria, with the number of cases almost tripling since 2014. The state recorded 1316 cases of Syphilis in 2020 compared to 1678 cases in 2019, though bearing in mind that screenings for Syphilis plummeted by almost 70% during the pandemic. This means that the number of cases in 2020 is likely to be much higher. Whether or not you live in Victoria, getting a Syphilis test is a good idea.

Anyone engaging in sexual activity – including vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex, and skin-to-skin sexual contact – can catch Syphilis and spread it to others, making frequent testing even more crucial.

Syphilis can be detected with a blood test and treated with a course of antibiotics, as long as the infection is detected relatively early on. If Syphilis is left undetected, it can have detrimental and irreversible effects to long-term health.

What are the symptoms of Syphilis?

Many cases of Syphilis can be asymptomatic for many years, emphasising the importance of testing to detect an infection. Syphilis infections develop through four phases, with different Syphilis symptoms typically exhibited in each:

Primary Syphilis:

Small sores (sometimes just one) can appear. They are often painless and may be hidden within the vagina or rectum with the individual unaware.

Secondary Syphilis:

A Syphilis rash can develop often covering the entire body, including palms of hands and soles of feet.
Some experience hair loss, aches, fever and sore throat.

Latent Syphilis:

The latent stage can last for years, with the individual experiencing no symptoms.

Tertiary Syphilis:

15-30% of those infected with untreated Syphilis will progress into this stage, developing potential damage to the brain, nervous system, bones, eyes, heart, blood vessels and liver.

Why should I get tested for Syphilis?

Testing is important to prevent a Syphilis infection from spreading and causing serious illness.

It is also important for expectant mothers and those looking to start a family to get tested. With the increase in Syphilis cases, the cases of congenital Syphilis have also risen. Congenital Syphilis is the infection of a foetus with Syphilis passed from the mother.

This totally preventable sexually transmitted infection can create serious health problems for the mother and baby, including miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight and a number of other implications for the mother and baby. If you are pregnant or planning to start a family, both you and your partner should be tested for Syphilis, along with other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Talk to us in confidence

With cases on the rise across Australia, having a Syphilis test is important for protecting your long-term health. If you are sexually active, contact us by phone at any time and our highly trained sexual health advisors will be happy to answer any further questions you may have.

Better2Know can arrange an appointment for you at one of our local clinics where you will be able to get confidential blood tests with fast results. You can also test for Syphilis as part of one of our comprehensive sexual health screens.

We will help you to get the peace of mind you need surrounding your sexual health. If you do test positive, we will always help you with the next steps including treatment.