Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) which is passed on mainly during vaginal, anal or oral sex.
A person gets syphilis from direct contact with syphilis sores on the body of an infected person, mainly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or rectum. Sores can also be on the lips and in the mouth.

An infected pregnant woman can also pass the disease to her unborn child. Syphilis cannot be spread by contact with toilet seats, door knobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils.
Without treatment, syphilis in adults progresses through four stages: Primary, secondary, the latent (hidden) and the tertiary (late) stage.
The first stage (primary syphilis) is marked by a very infectious sore, called a chancre, which is usually firm, round, small, and painless. It appears at the spot where the bacteria entered the body. Chancres last 1 to 5 weeks and heal on their own.
Without treatment, the spread of the bacteria through the blood causes the second stage (secondary syphilis), which is characterized by a rash that usually does not itch. The rash can appear as the chancre is fading, or it can be delayed up to 10 weeks
If untreated, the infection progresses to a latent (hidden) stage during which symptoms disappear and the disease is no longer contagious. The bacteria remain in the body, though, and can begin to damage vital organs.
In about a third of untreated persons, the results of the internal damage show up years later in the late (tertiary) stage. Symptoms include paralysis, inability to coordinate movements, inability to feel pain, gradual blindness, dementia (madness) or other personality changes, impotence, blockage or ballooning of the heart vessels, tumors, damage to knee joints, and deep sores on the feet. The damage may be serious enough to cause death.
Syphilis during pregnancy affects unborn babies and newborns. A pregnant woman with syphilis has about a 40% chance of having a stillbirth or a baby who dies shortly after birth. A baby who survives may be born with syphilis presenting with skin sores, a very runny nose that is sometimes bloody (and infectious) and slimy patches in the mouth. (www.dhpe.org)
Syphilis bacteria can be detected through a simple blood test which is also available at our own Allan Galpin Health Centre. The test can detect syphilis antibodies produced by the body shortly after infection occurs. Low level of antibodies will stay in the blood for months or years after the disease has been treated and can be found by later blood tests.
The good news is that syphilis is curable and treatment is available at the Allan Galpin Health Centre.
Persons who receive syphilis treatment must not have sex with their partners until the syphilis sores are completely healed. Sex partners must receive treatment, too.
You can prevent syphilis by:
l Abstaining from sex if you are not married.
l Knowing your sex partner well. Do not have sex with anyone who has genital sores. Go for a test and receive treatment first.
l Having a syphilis test before conceiving or during antenatal care.
l Refraining from multi-sexual partners. Be faithful to only one safe person.
l Seeking medical care at the first sign of infection
Note: Syphilis cannot be prevented by washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex. Having had syphilis treatment does not protect a person from getting it again.

Christine Namatovu is a clinical officer at Allan Galpin Medical Centre