Transmission: Unprotected sex, or skin/ulcer contact with infected person
Incubation period: 2-3 weeks
Primary Symptoms:
- A chancre (small, round, red sore/ulcer) will normally appear on the area where the infection entered the body. Sometimes the chancre may appear on your lips, tonsils, hands, genitals or buttocks.
- The sore then disappears within 2-6 weeks, but if it has not been treated you can get secondary syphilis.
Secondary symptoms: (normally 2-8 weeks after the chancre has disappeared)
- A non-itchy rash, often on the palms or soles of your feet
- Small flat growths (a bit like warts) around the vagina or anus
- Flu-like symptoms such as headaches, fever, joint pains and tiredness
- Swollen glands in your neck, armpits or groin
- Weight loss
- White patches on the tongue or roof of the mouth
- Patchy hair loss
Tertiary symptoms – these further complications may occur years later if left untreated:
- Meningitis
- Strokes
- Dementia symptoms
- Loss of co-ordination
- Numbness
- Vision problems or blindness
- Heart problems
Testing: A blood test. Oran examination of the genitals or anus, Swab test if there is a sore – results between 7 to 10 days
Treatment: Penicillin or a course of antibiotic tablets (10-14 days or 28 days depending on duration of the infection)
