Syphilis
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be spread through vaginal, anal and/or oral sex. You can also become infected through sharing of equipment for injection or snorting drugs. Infection can also occur following deep, wet kissing. During pregnancy, a mother infected with syphilis can spread the infection to the developing fetus.
Cause
A bacterium called Treponema palladium.
Symptoms
Many people have no symptoms at all but can still transmit syphilis and are at risk for complications. Syphilis infection occurs in three stages:
- Primary Syphilis - A painless sore (chancre) appears in the genital area or mouth 3 days to three months after the initial contact. The sore may heal without treatment within 2 to 6 weeks. Syphilis in this stage is highly infectious.
- Secondary Syphilis - Two to eight weeks after the appearance of the initial chancre sore other symptoms may develop, such as a rash on the chest or back and/or on the soles of feet and palms of hands, swollen glands and a general feeling of being unwell.
- Tertiary Syphilis - Can occur following an untreated infection causing serious health problems to the brain, heart and skin or possibly death.
- Neurosyphilis: At any stage, the bacteria can travel through the body and reach the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms of this stage can include ringing in the ears, headache, decreased hearing and/or decreased vision.
Did You Know?
If you have syphilis you are at a greater risk of contracting HIV.If you already have HIV, syphilis can be highly aggressive.Syphilis can be contracted through unprotected oral sex. You can't tell if someone has an STI by looking at them; the only way to know is to get tested!
Get Tested!
A simple blood test can detect syphilis infection.
How to Get Tested?
- Contact your family physician, nurse practitioner, or hospital outpatient department.
- For information about testing, call the NL Healthline (8-1-1) or for the heaing impaired, call TTY (888) 709-3555.
Treatment
If detected early, syphilis can be treated and cured with a long-acting antibiotic injection. If left untreated, syphilis can cause permanent damage to the brain, heart and other organs. In some cases it can be fatal.
Prevention
To reduce your risk of getting an STI, including syphilis and HIV, follow these practices:
- Practise safer sex by properly and consistently using a condom or oral dam for each sexual encounter (oral, anal and vaginal.)
- Get tested! See your healthcare provider or visit a sexual health clinic.
- You and your partner should get tested for STIs before becoming sexually active.
- Get tested if you have many sexual partners or when you change sexual partners.
- Limit your sexual partners.
- If you use drugs, DO NOT share your equipment.
For More Information
Western Health
(709) 637-5417
(709) 637-5000 ext. 5436 or 5917
Eastern Health
(877) 752-4358
(709) 752-4882
sexualhealthclinic@easternhealth.ca
Central Health
(709) 651-6234
(709) 292-8881
Labrador Grenfell Health
(709) 897-7354
Links
Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights