Long Time No Syphilis : SEXSMART

The comeback you weren’t looking forward to…

Did you know that Syphilis is on the rise? The number of people in the UK diagnosed with syphilis has more than doubled since 2012.

Many of us either haven’t heard of or have forgotten about Syphilis. We tend to think that it was something that only happened in the past and that it has gone away.

But NO, Syphilis is back and back in a big way.

If left untreated, Syphilis can have serious implications on our health. In its later stages, it can cause serious and potentially life-threatening problems.

Testing for Syphilis is free and easy in the UK, but many people with Syphilis don’t know they have it. Treating Syphilis means that it can’t be passed on to sexual partners.

What is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that’s usually caught by having sex with someone who’s infected. It is caused by an infectious bacteria, that enters the body during close body contact, through small breaks in the skin.

During sex, Syphilis can be passed on through any close body contact. Syphilis isn’t just passed on through penetrative sex. It can also be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, including kissing, fingering, mutual masturbation, rimming and fisting.

Using condoms during penetrative sex will help to reduce the risk of picking up or passing on syphilis.

Anyone can have Syphilis and not know they have it.

Some people do not get symptoms and Syphilis can cause serious problems if it isn’t treated.

You can catch syphilis more than once, even if you have been treated for it before.

Signs and Symptoms.

The symptoms of syphilis are not always obvious and may eventually disappear, but you’ll usually remain infected unless you get treated.

Some people with syphilis have no symptoms. But some of the symptoms for those that have them could be

small, painless sores or ulcers that typically appear on the penis, vagina, or around the anus, but can occur in other places such as the mouth.
A blotchy red rash that often affects the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.
Small skin growths (similar to genital warts) that may develop on the vulva in women or around the bottom (anus) in both men and women.
White patches in the mouth.
Tiredness, headaches, joint pains, a high temperature (fever) and swollen glands in your neck, groin or armpits.

If Syphilis is left untreated for years, it can spread to the brain or other parts of the body and cause serious long-term problems.

What can I do?

It’s important to get tested and treated for Syphilis as soon as possible if you think you might have it. Syphilis can cause serious problems if it’s left untreated.

It can usually be cured with a short course of antibiotics.

How can I get tested?

Testing has never been easier and there are loads of options available for FREE.

Contact your local sexual health clinic*.

For Blackpool Residents – Call 0300 1234 154

For Lancashire Residents – Call 0300 1234 154

For Blackburn with Darwen Residents – Call 01254 268 700

You can order a FREE postal Test for Syphilis online

For Blackpool and Lancashire Residents, Visit – https://lancashiresexualhealth.nhs.uk/testing-options/ and click on your area

For Blackburn with Darwen Residents, Visit – https://sh24.org.uk/orders/new

Speak to a Sexual Health Practitioner at Ren-UK*.

You can get a FREE, instant result HIV & Syphilis Test at Ren-UK in Blackpool, by calling 01253 311431 or at one of our pop-up events in Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen.

Remember – If you are having lots of sex, changing partners regularly, or just want peace of mind, Renaissance UK recommends that you have a full STI screen, including for Syphilis and HIV, every 3 months.

*Due to the ongoing risk of coronavirus, services including Renaissance UK, are not currently offering “Drop in” testing. Please use a digital option first. If you cannot use the digital option, then call your local sexual health clinic on the numbers above, or Ren-UK on 01253 311431.

Long Time No Syphilis