Early symptoms of syphilis can include painless sores at the site of exposure, followed by rash, fever, and other symptoms.
Symptoms may disappear without treatment, however, the infection is still present in the body.
About 15 to 30 per cent of individuals with untreated syphilis can develop tertiary syphilis which can cause severe complications throughout the body, most concerningly in the heart and brain.
Additionally, syphilis is now being seen more frequently in females.
In pregnancy, syphilis can lead to infection of the baby during pregnancy or birth, resulting in congenital syphilis.
Usually, this occurs when a syphilis infection in the birth parent has been left untreated or they weren’t aware of the infection, resulting in infection of the baby.
Congenital syphilis can have a major impact on a baby’s development.
Public Health encourages people to get tested if they:
Have had sex with new or multiple partners without the use of barrier protection (i.e., condoms), especially if their partners were anonymous.
Have symptoms or have previously experienced symptoms consistent with syphilis (even if the symptoms are now gone).
Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Syphilis screening can be accessed by contacting your healthcare provider, college health services, walk-in clinics, or HPEPH for those without a healthcare provider or facing other barriers to accessing sexual healthcare.
Use of barrier protection, such as condoms, is the best way to protect against syphilis and all other STIs during sex. Condoms and other forms of barrier protection are available at no cost at all HPEPH office locations.
To find out more about syphilis, including symptoms, stages, and treatment visit HPEPH’s syphilis facts page.
HPEPH public health nurses are available for confidential and non-judgemental support by phone Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 613-966-5500, ext. 243 or 1-800-267-2803, ext. 243.
