What is syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It can cause serious health problems for women and men if it is not diagnosed and treated.
Syphilis is caused by bacteria that is passed on while having sex.
People can contract syphilis again after it has been cured.
Syphilis can be spread by having sex with an infected person, including oral and anal sex, and sharing sex toys.
In some cases, syphilis can be caught through close contact with the body of a person who has infected syphilis sores.
The syphilis bacterium Treponema pallidumcannot survive for long away from the body, so it can't be caught from using the same toilet, clothing or cutlery or bathroom as an infected person. Syphilis may be spread by injecting drug users sharing needles.
Pregnant women with syphilis can give it to their baby, with the risk of stillbirth.
Despite safer sex campaigns, more than 5,000 people a year are diagnosed with syphilis in England each year.
Syphilis is caused by bacteria that is passed on while having sex.
People can contract syphilis again after it has been cured.
Syphilis can be spread by having sex with an infected person, including oral and anal sex, and sharing sex toys.
In some cases, syphilis can be caught through close contact with the body of a person who has infected syphilis sores.
The syphilis bacterium Treponema pallidumcannot survive for long away from the body, so it can't be caught from using the same toilet, clothing or cutlery or bathroom as an infected person. Syphilis may be spread by injecting drug users sharing needles.
Pregnant women with syphilis can give it to their baby, with the risk of stillbirth.
Despite safer sex campaigns, more than 5,000 people a year are diagnosed with syphilis in England each year.
Symptoms at each stage of syphilis
Syphilis infection occurs in three stages, each with their own distinct symptoms:
Stage 1: Primary syphilis
The first symptoms of syphilis are a painless but very infectious sore or ulcer known as a chancre, on the genitals or around the mouth. The infection is spread by contact with these sores, which last around two to six weeks. During this stage, a person may also experience swollen lymph glands, including those in the neck, groin or armpits.
Stage 2: Secondary syphilis
The next stage of syphilis symptoms includes a non-itchy skin rash and sore throat lasting a few to several weeks. A person may also feel tired and experience headaches. Other symptoms include fever, weight loss, patches of hair loss and joint pain. The primary and secondary stages are when there is a greater risk of passing the infection to other people.
This is followed by a hidden or latent stage where no symptoms are experienced. This can last for some years.
Stage 3: Tertiary syphilis
This third stage of syphilis is the most dangerous, affecting around a third of people who are not treated for syphilis in the earlier stages. Tertiary syphilis can cause damage to the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, bones, skin or blood vessels. This may lead to serious or even life-threatening conditions including stroke, heart disease, dementia, loss of co-ordination, numbness, paralysis or becoming blind or deaf.
People with syphilis are around three to five times more likely to be infected with HIV, which can enter the body through any syphilis sores that start to bleed during sex
This third stage of syphilis is the most dangerous, affecting around a third of people who are not treated for syphilis in the earlier stages. Tertiary syphilis can cause damage to the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, bones, skin or blood vessels. This may lead to serious or even life-threatening conditions including stroke, heart disease, dementia, loss of co-ordination, numbness, paralysis or becoming blind or deaf.
People with syphilis are around three to five times more likely to be infected with HIV, which can enter the body through any syphilis sores that start to bleed during sex
No comments:
Post a Comment