Syphilis

Syphilis has 3 stages:

• Primary syphilis
• Secondary syphilis
• Latent and tertiary syphilis

You may not have any symptoms of syphilis. However if you do get symptoms you may see:

Primary syphilis

• One or more ulcers on the genital area, or in the mouth (if contracted through oral sex) or any exposed areas of skin (around the bottom or the nipple). The sores are commonly painless.
• These sores are very infectious and can take 2-6 weeks to heal.

Secondary syphilis

If untreated, syphilis progresses to the second stage:

• Painless non-itchy rash which can spread all over the body, but is most often seen on the palms of the hand and soles of the feet.
• Flu like illness, fatigue, loss of appetite, swollen glands.

Latent and tertiary syphilis

This occurs when you have had syphilis for many years or when syphilis remains untreated (which is very rare):

• Can cause serious damage to the heart, brain, eyes and nervous system.
• At this stage syphilis can be life threatening.

No, syphilis does not affect fertility in men or women.

Your partner may be able to tell if you have symptoms but not if you do not. However, you should tell your partner(s) if you have syphilis as it is important they get tested and get treated if required. They may also be the source of the infection but be unaware.

Some of the tests (such as some postal or rapid tests) for syphilis will remain positive but others will not. You should inform the person taking the test that you have had syphilis in the past as a different test would be used to check for re-infection.