Syphilis
good to know says: Syphilis is a bacterial infection which is spread through close sexual contact but can be successfully treated with a two week course of antibiotics. You cannot catch it from toilet seats, baths or door knobs. The main symptom of syphilis is an ulcer on the genitals which can appear up to three months after having sex with an infected person. The ulcers are the size of a small coin, and usually painless, but without treatment the syphilis germ can spread to other parts of the body and become more serious. Practising safe sex is your best protection.
For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of syphilis from patient.co.uk, read on
What is syphilis?
Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium (germ) called Treponema pallidum. Syphilis is uncommon in the UK, but is more common in other parts of the world.
By Rob Mansfield
- Next: How do you get syphilis?
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Where to next?
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Dr Ian Holtby, Teesside Health Protection Agency, on syphilis
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Advice about sexual partners
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Advice from a sexual health adviser
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Anogenital warts (genital warts)
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Conditions that are not STIs
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Genital herpes
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Other conditions that are sometimes thought of as STIs
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Other conditions that are sometimes thought of as STIs (cont'd)
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Pubic lice
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Some other points about trichomonas infection
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Trichomonas infection
