Is Syphilis a common STI in Australia?

Syphilis is an STI caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It is an infectious disease that can be transmitted through contact with an infected individual’s blood, secretions, and tissues. Syphilis can be spread through sexual contact, kissing, and sharing sex toys.

Syphilis can be notoriously hard to detect because its symptoms so often mirror those of other infections. Remember also that many people infected with Syphilis have no symptoms at all.

At the onset of Syphilis, a circular and firm sore (or chancre) may appear at the original site of infection – this is most often on the genitals, but can also affect the mouth and lips. This sore will last 3 to 6 weeks before healing. Rashes will then appear on the mouth, genitals, or anus. These rashes will:

• Appear during or after the primary chancre heals
• Appear as rough and red, with reddish brown spots on the hands and soles of the feet
• May be faint and difficult to identify

Patches of raised white tissue may also appear in the mouth, armpit, and groin.

Other symptoms of Syphilis include:

• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Headaches
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Sore throat
• More chancres

If Syphilis is left untreated, these symptoms will go away on their own, but the disease will lie dormant in the body. During this latent period, no outward symptoms will appear.

Approximately ten to thirty years after the initial infection, if left untreated, Syphilis reaches a final, deadly phase. During this phase, multiple organ systems may become compromised, potentially causing:

• Blindness
• Personality changes
• Seizures
• Aortic aneurism
• Dementia
• Hearing loss
• Nerve damage

Syphilis primarily spreads through unprotected sexual activity, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

Though Syphilis is primarily known as a sexually transmitted infection, you can also get Syphilis without being sexually active by:

• Sharing needles with someone who has a Syphilis infection
• Blood transfusions
• Organ donations
• Touching another person’s Syphilitic sore

You can prevent the spread of Syphilis by using condoms and other forms of protection when having sex.

If you think you might have been exposed to Syphilis, you should get tested immediately and consult a doctor to begin treatment. When you have an outbreak of Syphilitic sores, you should not have sex with anyone until you have been tested and treated.

Syphilis is treated with antibiotics, usually injections, tablets, or capsules. The type of antibiotic prescribed, and the length of the treatment, depends on the stage of the Syphilis.

Despite still making up a small proportion of total STIs in Australia, notifications of infectious Syphilis are on the rise. Since 2015, notifications of the disease have increased by nearly 90%.

The cause for the rise in the prevalence of Syphilis is not entirely known, but several factors are suspected. Many medical professionals believe that, with HIV becoming a less deadly disease because of the rise of effective treatments, people are becoming less concerned about the spread of STIs, and therefore less careful about practising safe sex. Testing for Syphilis had also decreased as the infection had become rare.

Syphilis is a serious infection and can lead to severe health complications, and even death, if left untreated. People need to be aware of the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options available so they can act quickly should they think they have been exposed to infection.

Prevention is also key – practicing safe sex with condoms or other forms of protection is essential to avoid contracting this infection. With rising numbers of cases being reported across Australia and the world, it’s more important than ever that everyone takes steps to protect themselves from potential exposure.

If you think you may have been exposed or have any concerning symptoms, contact Better2Know today by calling the number above to speak to one of our Sexual Health Advisors, or book online by following this link.