Dr O'Donovan explains the four stages of Syphilis, including symptoms associated with each stage. The four stages include, Primary, Secondary, Latent and Tertiary Syphilis.

What is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that's treatable with medication. Without treatment, syphilis causes serious health problems. It can permanently damage your heart, brain, muscles, bones and eyes. To reduce your risk of infection, always use a condom during sex.

Video Contents:

00:00 - Introduction
00:24 - Overview of 4 stages
00:46 - Primary Syphilis
01:22 - Secondary Syphilis
02:26 - Latent Syphilis
03:00 - Tertiary (late) Syphilis
03:32 - Why this is important

Symptoms of Syphilis:

The symptoms of syphilis are often mild and hard to notice. They tend to change over time and may come and go.

Symptoms of syphilis include:

- small sores (ulcers) on your penis, vagina, or around your bottom (anus) – these are usually painless and you may only have one of them - chancre
- sores in other areas, including in your mouth or on your lips, hands or bottom
- white or grey warty growths most commonly on your penis, vagina or around your anus
- a rash on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet that can sometimes spread all over your body – this is not usually itchy
- white patches in your mouth
- flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, headaches and tiredness
- swollen glands
- patchy hair loss on the head, beard and eyebrows

It can take 3 weeks or more for the symptoms of syphilis to appear after you're infected. Sometimes the symptoms can improve or go away completely, but if you have not been treated the infection is still in your body.

This means you can still pass it on and you're at risk of getting serious problems later on.

HOW IS SYPHILIS DIAGNOSED?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your sexual history, including whether you practice safe sex. It's important to be honest during this discussion. Your provider can help assess your risk and recommend tests for other STIs.

To test for syphilis, your provider will examine you and take a blood sample to look for signs of the infection. Your provider may remove some fluid or a small piece of skin from a syphilis sore and look at it under a microscope. The only way to know for sure if you have syphilis is by visiting your healthcare provider and getting a lab test.

HOW IS SYPHILIS TREATED?

Your healthcare provider treats syphilis with antibiotics. Antibiotics are a type of medication that treats bacterial infections. Penicillin is the most commonly used medication for syphilis. How much medication you need and how long you take it depends on your syphilis stage and symptoms.

You must finish all your antibiotics even if the sore or rash goes away. It's important to contact anyone you've had sex with within the last two years and let them know they should be tested.

RESOURCES:

Further information via NHS website:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/syphilis/

CDC (USA): https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdf...

FIND A SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC IN THE UK:
https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/fin...

Free STI testing UK: https://sh24.org.uk

FIND A SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC IN THE USA:
https://gettested.cdc.gov/

OTHERWISE SEE YOUR NEAREST HEALTH PROFESSIONAL!!

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