What is Syphilis?
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can lead to serious health complications. If left undiagnosed and untreated, the latent stage of infection can cause damage to internal organs such as the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints.
It is transmitted through direct contact with a Syphilis sore (Chancre) and is commonly transferred through unprotected sexual intercourse or contact including vaginal, anal and oral interaction.
What are the symptoms of Syphilis?
What happens if I do not get tested and treated?
How is Syphilis treated?
Syphilis can be cured with a short course of antibiotics. Infections that have lasted less than two years are often treated with an injection of penicillin into your buttocks, or a 10 to 14-day course of antibiotic tablets if you cannot have penicillin.
Syphilis infections that have lasted longer than two years usually require three penicillin injections into your buttocks given at weekly intervals, or a four-week course of antibiotic tablets if you are allergic to penicillin.
What else should I get tested for?
If you have a blemish, lump, sore or wart that you are worried about, you should consider the Better2Know Blemish Screen. As well as detecting Syphilis infections, the Blemish Screen will also test for HPV and both types of Herpes.
Alternatively, if you would like a general overview of your sexual health, we would advise either the Full Screen or the Platinum Screen. Both screens provide comprehensive testing for sexually transmitted infections, including Syphilis, HIV, Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea.
How can I book my test?
To arrange your appointment at a private STI clinic in Europe today, please call our sexual health advisory team on the number displayed at top of the page. If you would prefer to book online, you can use our online booking system by clicking on the Book Now button and following the instructions.