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Syphilis
What is syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a bacteria (bug) called treponema pallidum . This
bacteria enters the body through tiny breaks in the skin, mainly in the anal area, genital area, or the
mouth.
Important!
There has been a sudden increase in syphilis in New Zealand in the last few years. Initially it was
mostly seen in homosexual men but is now occurring in heterosexual men and women. It is very
important to get checked out if you have any new genital sores or if you think you may be at risk.
How do you get syphilis?
Syphilis is very infectious and is caught by having sexual contact with an infected person. This may
include vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or just close skin-to-skin contact.
Syphilis can also be spread from mother to baby during pregnancy, if the mother is infected.
How do I know if I have syphilis?
Many people do not get any symptoms and would not know they have syphilis without having a blood
test.
It can take up to three months to develop antibodies so the tests may be negative early on.
For those who get symptoms, syphilis is divided into three stages: primary, secondary, and tertiary.
Primary and secondary syphilis is infectious, but tertiary syphilis is not.
Primary syphilis
 The first sign of syphilis is a sore (ulcer), at the sites of sexual contact. A sore may occur in hidden
sites (for example, the cervix, mouth, or anus) and because it is usually painless, you may not even
notice it.

The sore usually appears three to four weeks after you have been infected, but sometimes it takes
longer.

The sore will disappear within a few weeks. Even after the sore has healed, you still have the syphilis
infection and can pass it on to others.
Important!
Any genital sore should be examined by a doctor, even if it starts to heal and is small and painless.
Secondary syphilis
 Sometimes you will get a rash about six weeks after infection with syphilis. This rash may appear on
your body, face, arms, and often on the palms and soles of the feet.
HealthInfo reference: 53679
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Issued: 5 October 2015
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Syphilis
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
The rash will vary from person to person. It may be very obvious but it can also be so mild that you
don't notice it, and it can disappear as suddenly as it appeared. The rash can last for four to six weeks.

Other symptoms you might notice include: Mouth ulcers, headache, swollen glands, fever, hair loss,
general tiredness, and flat warty growths in the genital or anal region.

Even if syphilis is not treated in the primary or secondary stage, the symptoms will disappear. After
two years, the person is usually not infectious to others. At this stage infection is only picked up on
blood tests.
Important!
A person in the primary or secondary stage of syphilis is very infectious because the sores and rashes
are full of syphilis bacteria. There is a very high chance of infecting a sexual partner.
Tertiary syphilis
In about a third of people, if not treated, the syphilis bacteria will eventually cause damage to the
heart, brain, and the nerves. Treatment is to prevent further damage. Tertiary syphilis is not
infectious. You can avoid tertiary syphilis by getting treatment early.
How is syphilis treated?

Syphilis is treated with antibiotics. The length of treatment varies according to the stage of infection
and type of antibiotic used. In most cases, penicillin injections are used.

After treatment with penicillin injections, some people (particularly in early syphilis) have a flu-like
illness for 24 hours. This includes fevers, aches and pains, and generally feeling unwell. These
symptoms will go away and don't require any special treatment except rest, and paracetamol for fever
or pain.

After treatment, follow-up blood tests are essential for at least one year to make sure cure is
complete.
Does syphilis affect pregnancy?
Depending on how long a pregnant woman has been infected, she has a good chance of passing the
infection to her unborn baby. This could result in a stillbirth or miscarriage.
An infected baby may be born without symptoms of syphilis, but could develop them within a few
weeks and the baby could become very ill. However, proper treatment of the mother during pregnancy
will prevent the baby being born with syphilis.
Important!
Every woman should have a blood test for syphilis during her pregnancy.
What is the link between syphilis and HIV?
It is now known that the genital ulcers caused by syphilis also make it easier to transmit and acquire
HIV infection sexually. There is a two to five times greater risk of catching HIV infection when syphilis
is present.
HealthInfo reference: 53679
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Issued: 5 October 2015
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Syphilis
www.healthinfo.org.nz
Talking to partners
If you have been diagnosed with syphilis, it's important that all your sexual partners from the last few
months and sometimes longer, and attend a sexual health clinic for testing and treatment, if
necessary. If you have had sex with someone while the sore or rash was present, that person will
usually need treatment.
Some people feel embarrassed, scared, or angry when they or their partner have a sexually
transmitted infection (STI). This is common and OK. Do not let these feelings stop you from getting
medical help or telling your partner. Anyone who is sexually active can get an STI.
What do I do?
 Talk to current and previous sexual partners as soon as possible. If left untreated, syphilis can cause
complications and be easily spread to other partners. Tell them to see their doctor or sexual health
clinic because they may have an STI. If you need help contacting your partner(s), talk to the doctor or
nurse.

Do not have sex until your rash or sores clear up because you will still be infectious for some time.
How do I protect myself from syphilis?
The only sure way to avoid getting syphilis or another sexually transmitted infection is to not have
sexual contact. If you do decide to have sexual contact, you can reduce your risk by:

Having sex with one person, who only has sex with you.

Using condoms until you and your sexual partner(s) have been checked for sexually transmitted
infections.

Having regular sexual health check-ups.
Where do I go for a check-up?
Sexual health clinics have specialists who are experienced in the management and diagnosis of
syphilis. Treatment is free and confidential and the people there can help with testing your sexual
partners or family members. Read more about the Sexual Health Clinic.
53679
This information has been produced by Christchurch Sexual Health Centre with help from Auckland Sexual Health
Service.
HealthInfo reference: 53679
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Issued: 5 October 2015
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