Syphilis Symptoms

Many people with syphilis do not have any symptoms. You may not know you have it unless you get tested.

Within three to four weeks of infection, a person may start to notice sores (chancre) at the site of infection:

• Vagina, penis, mouth, or anus   
• Due to the location that the sores appear in they can often go unnoticed as they can be painless and go away after 3-6 weeks with no treatment

In the 7 to 10 weeks following infection the following symptoms may occur:

• Red rash on palm of hands, soles of feet, chest or back 
• Fever 
• Swollen glands 
• Sore throat 
• Hair loss 
• Weight loss 
• Headaches 
• Muscle and joint pains

If left untreated for an extended period, tertiary syphilis can develop (5 to 15 years) as the bacteria continues to spread around the body via the blood. At this stage, the bacteria can damage almost any part of the body including the:

• Heart
• Brain
• Spinal cord
• Eyes and bones

All resulting in heart disease, mental illness, blindness, deafness, and neurological problems.

How does it Spread?

Syphilis spreads through skin-on-skin contact with open sores (chancre)

• This is typically via the genitals during oral, vaginal, or anal sex 
• However, can happen if skin contacts sores present anywhere on the body 

Syphilis is also passed on through sexual contact:

• This can happen before people know they have syphilis and don't have any sores

Can I get tested?

Point of care (POC) testing:

• A small drop of blood is taken from the tip of your finger, and you can receive your result in 15 minutes
• This test is available in the SWAMS Bunbury Clinic

Syphilis can be diagnosed via a blood test or swab:

• A small amount of blood is taken, or a swab of a sore if present
• This test can be done as a part of your regular health check
• It is important to remember that it can take 3 months after being exposed to syphilis for it to show up on a test
• This test is available at SWAMS, from your regular doctor or at any sexual health clinic‍

Can it be treated?

Syphilis will not go away without treatment. Treatment can be arranged by your regular doctor, at a sexual health clinic or at SWAMS

• Syphilis is treated by an antibiotic injection
• Following treatment, you should wait at least 7 days before engaging in sexual activity‍

How can we prevent it?

Syphilis is very infectious, so always practice safe sex

• When having sex, use condoms and water-based lubricant 
• For oral sex always use a condom or dental dam 
• Always check the expiry date of the condom

Regularly get tested for syphilis:

• At least every 6 months, or after any new sexual partner