Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum.

Syphilis is on the Rise in the Middlesex-London Region

Infectious syphilis case rates in Ontario have more than tripled since 2014. ³ Rates of late latent syphilis (asymptomatic (showing no symptoms), but can lead to complications if left untreated) in the Middlesex-London region have had a five times increase between 2021 and 2024. ³ The proportion of women with syphilis cases has increased almost five times, from 3.8% of cases being women in 2014 to 18.0% in 2023. ³ There has also been a significant rise in early congenital syphilis within the past 5 years. ³

How is it spread?

Syphilis can spread many ways , including through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, by sharing sex toys, or through skin-to-skin contact with a syphilis sore or rash. It can also be passed from a mother to their baby during pregnancy or delivery. ⁴

What are the risks?

Most people who have syphilis don't even know it and they may not experience symptoms! This makes it very easy to spread the infection to others or severe health consequences.

• Untreated syphilis can lead to brain and nerve damage, temporary vision loss, heart damage, abnormal tissue growth, and death.
• Some women could may have syphilis during pregnancy or when they give birth. This can result in the infection passing to the baby, which is called congenital syphilis.
• About one in three pregnancies with untreated early congenital syphilis infections lead to miscarriage, the baby passing away before birth, or stillbirth later in pregnancy.
• Babies with untreated congenital syphilis can have developmental delays, intellectual delays, or other health problems.
• Individuals infected with syphilis are at greater risk of getting and spreading other STIs, including HIV.
• Taking medication will treat syphilis but any damage that has been done to the body before treatment cannot be reversed.
• You can be reinfected with syphilis, even after treatment, if you have sexual contact with someone who has syphilis and hasn’t been treated or hasn’t completed their treatment. ⁴

How to protect yourself

You may have syphilis and not know it. Syphilis symptoms can go unnoticed, change over time, and can be mistaken for other infections. ⁴ The best way to prevent infection is to make sure that you and your partner have both been tested and are syphilis-free before having sex.

• Get tested – remember that getting tested doesn’t define you. It protects you, just like a routine checkup.
• Use condoms or dental dams every time you have sex, even if you are using another form of birth control.
• Do not share sex toys.

NOTE: If a syphilis sore is outside of the area covered by a condom, you could still be infected, or infect your partner.

What are the symptoms?

• Primary syphilis
• Secondary syphilis
• Latent/ Late Latent syphilis
• Congenital syphilis
• Neurosyphilis
• Tertiary syphilis

When should you get tested?

• If you have any signs or symptoms of syphilis
• If you are a contact of a partner with positive syphilis result, get tested even if you don’t have symptoms
• After any type of unprotected sex
• After your last partner and before a new partner
• If you are pregnant, get tested during your first prenatal visit/first trimester

To get tested:

• Talk to your healthcare provider
• Book an appointment at the MLHU STI Clinic (355 Wellington St., London, ON N6A 3N7).
• Call 519-663-5317 and press 0 during clinic hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm)
• Online booking is available for appointments in London
• GetaKit

To test for syphilis you need to get a blood test.

How is syphilis treated?

The good news is, syphilis has a cure, and catching syphilis early can keep you and loved ones protected from avoidable health complications.

• Talk to your healthcare provider about antibiotics
• Avoid all sex (oral, anal, and/or vaginal) for 14 days after taking the medication
• Do not have sex with your current partner until they are tested and treated
• Free syphilis treatment is available at the STI Clinic. Please call 519-663-5317 to speak with a nurse and book an appointment for treatment

What about your sexual partners?

• Individuals who test positive for syphilis will need to notify their all sexual partners so they can be tested and/or treated. A public health nurse can help you contact sexual partners if needed.

Is follow-up needed?

• Yes. After treatment, blood tests are required to confirm that the infection has been treated properly.