Syphilis
Both girls and guys can get syphilis (pronounced sif-a-lis).
Symptoms
At first, syphilis usually causes sores or ulcers (called a ‘chancre’) on the genitals, or in the case of unsafe oral sex, on the face, lips, or inside the mouth. These are usually not painful so people often don’t realize they have been infected. As the sores are sometimes internal (eg. on the cervix or up the anus), you might not even notice they are there.
While these sores will go away on their own, the bacteria which causes syphilis stays in your blood, spreads through your body and makes you infectious. Syphilis can cause serious long-term effects such as infections of the brain and other organs.
How do you get it?
Syphilis is spread through unsafe sexual contact. You can get syphilis through vaginal, anal or oral sex and just by skin-to-skin contact with infectious sores or ulcers. Pregnant mothers can also pass syphilis onto their babies either in the womb while pregnant or during delivery.
How do I know I have it?
Testing for syphilis usually involves a blood test and/or providing a sample of fluid from the ulcer or sore on a cotton bud.
As many people have no obvious symptoms, they often find they have been infected in a routine medical check such as an antenatal visit or sexual health check.
What's the treatment?
The most effective treatment for syphilis is a course of penicillin injections. If you can’t have penicillin, your doctor will discuss the best treatment with you.
What to do
For advice, see your local doctor, family planning clinic or sexual health clinic.
More info
- Read a detailed fact sheet about syphilis
- Find out more about safe sex.