Syphilis
Condoms are the ONLY form of contraceptive that protects against sexual infections.
Syphilis is a serious bacterial infection that enters your body through broken skin in the area of the penis, vagina and anus (bum). It is not as common as in the past but there have been recent outbreaks in Dublin in 2001 and it is still thought of as a dangerous infection. It can lead to internal organ (heart, brain and spinal cord) damage at the later stage or even to death. Syphilis can be spread by sex, anal sex and oral sex without a condom or from a mother to her baby during birth. It can also be passed on by rimming (mouth to anus contact).
What are the symptoms?
- Syphilis has several phases that can overlap. There are no symptoms most of the time.
- Primary phase: painless sores or open ulcers usually on the vagina, penis, anus (bum), lips or mouth. You might also have swollen glands. This phase begins from about three weeks to 90 days after infection and lasts four to six weeks.
- Secondary Phase: After those four to six weeks other symptoms such as rashes on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet and other symptoms similar to having flu. This phase can last for up to a year but can return at a later point.
- Latent Phase: Most people have no symptoms at this stage, usually about two years after infection with syphilis. This stage can last for years but the infection is still in the body.
- Late Phase: If the infection hasn't been treated by this point, then it can cause serious damage to the nervous system, heart, brain and other internal organs. An infected person may eventually die from untreated syphilis.
What treatment can you get?
Visit your doctor to have syphilis diagnosed. Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics but if the infection is in a later phase, damage cannot be undone. The infection can take ten years to reach the final stage so it's important that if you notice any of the symptoms you talk to a doctor. Your partner and recent partners should also be treated.
How can you prevent Syphilis?
- Syphilis is very infectious, that is very easy to spread when the sores and ulcers are visible. If you are pregnant and think you might have the infection, it's very important to be tested. Syphilis is very serious in pregnant women and in unborn babies.
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