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Sexual Health

Syphilis - GET TESTED

syphilis - get tested
 

Syphilis is on the rise nationally and provincially and continues to spread at an alarming rate in our health unit region. Anyone having condomless or unprotected sex (oral, genital, anal) is at risk, especially those who have had sex with new or multiple partners or their partners were anonymous.  

Many people who have syphilis aren’t aware because they don’t recognize the symptoms and can pass on the infection without knowing. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure if you have syphilis and the first step to getting treatment if you do. 

When a pregnant person has syphilis, the infection can be spread to their unborn baby. All pregnant people should receive testing for syphilis at the first prenatal visit. A health care provider may recommend repeat testing throughout the pregnancy depending on individual risk factors.

Keep reading to learn more about syphilis, including stages, symptoms, reducing your risk, testing, and treatment.

Getting tested is the only way to know for sure if you have syphilis. You should get tested if you or your partner has signs and symptoms of syphilis, if you’ve had unprotected sex, or are pregnant. A simple blood test can be used to detect syphilis. Visit your healthcare provider, college/university health services, walk-in clinic, or a SMDHU sexual health clinic for those without a healthcare provider, health card, or facing barriers getting sexual health care. 

To book an appointment at one of our health unit sexual health clinics, click here to book online or call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 (toll free), Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

You can reduce the risk of getting syphilis by making informed decisions BEFORE engaging in sexual activity such as practicing safe sex, limiting your number of sexual partners, talking to your partner(s) and asking them to be tested, and being aware of how alcohol and other drugs can affect sexual decision making.

The best way to prevent syphilis is to get tested regularly and use condoms, and dental dams  when engaging in any sexual activity.

Condoms and other forms of barrier protection are available at no cost at all health unit office locations. Condoms are available through self-serve dispensers.

Syphilis is a highly contagious sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Syphilis is primarily spread through sexual contact (oral, genital, anal) or close physical contact (skin-to-skin) with a contagious lesion or rash. It can also be spread to an unborn baby during pregnancy or delivery.

Syphilis is known as ‘The Great Pretender’, as its symptoms can look like many other diseases. Syphilis follows a progression of stages. Symptoms vary at different stages and there may be no noticeable symptoms.

Primary Stage:

  • Painless lesion(s) or sore(s) close to or inside the mouth, on the genitals or rectum. This lesion or sore is called a chancre, these may or may not be noticeable.
  • The chancre typically lasts 3 to 6 weeks and heals regardless of whether a person received treatment.
  • During this stage a person can pass the infection to others through sexual activity, close physical contact (skin-to-skin) with a contagious lesion or rash, or during pregnancy and/or during delivery.
 

Secondary Stage:

  • A rash on one or more area(s) of the body, including stomach, arms and legs, palms of the hands or soles of the feet.
  • Raised lesions or white patches in the mouth, on the genitals or anal region.
  • Swollen lymph nodes.
  • Weight loss.
  • Fatigue.
  • Flu-like symptoms (headache, muscle and joint pain, loss of appetite, fever).
  • Patchy hair loss.
  • During this stage a person can pass the infection to others through sexual activity or close physical contact (skin-to-skin) with a contagious lesion or rash, or during pregnancy and/or during delivery.

Early Latent Stage

  • The infection has occurred within the past 12 months.
  • During this stage, a person can pass the infection to others through sexual activity, close physical contact (skin-to-skin) with a contagious lesion or rash, or during pregnancy and/or during delivery.
  • The early latent stage of syphilis is a period when there are no visible signs or symptoms of syphilis.
 

Late Latent Stage:

  • This is when the infection occurs for more than 12 months and has not been treated.
  • During this stage, the bacteria that cause syphilis, stays in the body and can begin to cause serious health problems.
  • During this stage, syphilis is no longer spread through sexual contact.
  • Those who are pregnant can still pass the infection to their baby. It could cause a person to have an early delivery, miscarry or have a stillbirth.
  • The late latent stage of syphilis is a period when there are no visible signs or symptoms of syphilis.

Without treatment, the symptoms of syphilis will go away but the disease will continue to spread throughout the body.

If syphilis develops to a late latent stage, it may cause permanent damage to the heart, the nervous system and other major organs. Treatment can still be used to treat syphilis, but it will not reverse any damage. That is why it is important to get tested regularly and get treatment in the early stages of a syphilis infection.

Individuals infected with syphilis are also at greater risk of getting and spreading other STI’s including HIV.

If a pregnant person gets syphilis, it can be passed on to the baby, causing serious health problems and can put the baby’s life at risk.  A pregnant person with syphilis is also at higher risk of having an early delivery, miscarriage or a stillbirth.

Getting treated for syphilis during your pregnancy can help prevent the infection from spreading to your baby. All pregnant people should receive testing for syphilis during their first 3 months of pregnancy and at 7-8 months pregnant.

A health care provider may recommend retesting throughout your pregnancy depending on individual risk factors such as engaging in sexual activity with new or multiple partners or having unprotected sex. If you are at higher risk for getting syphilis during your pregnancy, ask your health care provider for retesting.

How Is Syphilis Treated?

  • Syphilis is treatable.
  • Your healthcare provider will give you antibiotics at no cost. Avoid all forms of sex (oral, anal, and/or genital) for 7 days after finishing the medication.
  • Do not have sex with your current partner(s) until they are tested and treated.
  • To book an appointment at one of our health unit office clinics, click here to book online, or call Health Connection at 1-877-721-7520 (toll free) or 1-705-721-7520.

What about your sexual partners?

  • Individuals who test positive for syphilis are asked to tell all individuals who they have been sexually active with in the last 3-12 months. A public health nurse can help you contact sexual partners confidentially.
  • All sexual partners should be tested and treated.

Is follow up needed?

  • Yes. After treatment is finished, blood test(s) are required to confirm that the infection has been treated properly.
  • It’s recommended to get tested for other sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
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