Syphilis is spread through unprotected sex. Use protection and get tested.
Call the WECHU at 519-258-2146 ext. 1420 for more information.
What is syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria (germs), called Treponema pallidum.
How does syphilis spread?
Syphilis mostly spreads through contact with a contagious sore or rash during unprotected oral, vaginal, and/or anal sex. A person can spread the infection without knowing it.
Mothers may also pass it to their newborn baby during pregnancy. It rarely spreads through sharing of needles and injection equipment or blood transfusions.
What are the symptoms of syphilis?
Syphilis goes through four stages, if left untreated. Each stage may have different symptoms.
Stage | Symptoms |
---|---|
Primary |
Usually appears 3 to 90 days after the germs enter your body
|
Secondary |
Usually appears 2 to 12 weeks after the germs enter your body
|
Latent
|
|
Tertiary |
Can take 1 to 46 years before the effects of the infection are seen.
|
What are other complications of syphilis?
Neurosyphilis is infection that has spread to the brain and/or spinal cord. This can occur during the secondary, latent, and tertiary stages of syphilis. Symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Personality changes
- Dementia
- Difficulty with muscle movement.
How do I get tested for syphilis?
A health care provider will do blood tests to test for syphilis. If needed, the health care provider may also arrange to test the fluid from the spine in the lower back to see if the infection has spread to your brain and spinal cord.
How is syphilis treated?
If you have symptoms, see a health care provider as soon as possible.
- Tell your health care provider about any type of unprotected sex (oral, vaginal, or anal).
- Treatment includes antibiotics (medications that kill bacteria). Treatment may require a few visits to your health care provider. It is important to go every time and complete your treatment. Even if your symptoms improve, you will still need to continue treatment.
- You will need to have follow up tests to make sure that the medications have worked. Blood results may always be positive even after you have been treated and cured. It is important to tell your health care providers if you were treated for syphilis in the past.
- It is important that you inform all of your sexual partners. They will also need to be tested and treated.
- Do not have sex until you and your partners are treated and the blood tests show that the medications have worked.
- The Health Unit can notify your partners, while keeping your identity confidential.
How do I prevent the spread of syphilis?
You can be re-infected with syphilis after treatment. Ways to prevent infection include:
- Practicing safer sex, such as:
- Abstinence (not taking part in any types of sex);
- Mutual monogamy (both partners agree to only have sex with each other and have been tested for sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections (STBBIs);
- Use latex and polyurethane male and female condoms and dental dams. Condoms are available for free at the Health Unit; and
- Not sharing sex toys or thoroughly washing them with disinfectants between use.
- Getting tested for STBBIs if you had unprotected sex and/or are not sure if you or your partners have a STBBI. Infections, including syphilis, of the genital area may increase the risk of getting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
For more information
If you have concerns about your sexual health, speak with your doctor or health care provider for support and treatment. To find a doctor in Windsor and Essex County, visit our Find a Doctor section.
- Government of Canada | Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections: Summary of Recommendations for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Syphilis
- SexualHealthOntario (also has live online chat and Sexual Health Infoline) | www.sexualhealthontario.ca; 1-800-668-2437
- The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada – Sex & U | https://www.sexandu.ca/
- Sexual Health Windsor | www.sexualhealthwindsor.ca
References:
- Government of Canada. (2019). Section 5-10: Canadian guidelines on sexually transmitted infections - Management and treatment of specific infections: Syphilis. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/sexual-health-sexually-transmitted-infections/canadian-guidelines.html.
- Heymann, D.L. (Ed.). (2015). Control of communicable diseases manual (20th ed.). Washington, DC: American Public Health Association.
- Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. (2019). Infectious Diseases Protocol: Appendix A - Syphilis. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario.