A GP has revealed how to spot the easy-to-miss symptoms of syphilis and warned ignoring them could lead to heart, nerve and brain problems.
Symptoms can include unusual skin growths and sores around the genitals or mouth, which are easily mistaken for coldsores or pimples, warns Dr Donald Grant of The Independent Pharmacy.
In, some cases people experience no symptoms at all, he adds.
It comes as health chiefs reported that cases of syphilis remain high in England.
Latest annual figures published by The UK Health Security Agency revealed cases of the STI is continuing to surge.
Syphilis diagnoses increased by about 20 per cent between 2021 and 2023, with larger jumps seen in specific areas of the UK.
For instance, the number of heterosexual men in the West Midlands diagnosed with the sexually transmitted infection rose 149 per cent between 2021 and 2023, the highest increase in England.
The STI is typically passed through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex, as well as the sharing of sex toys similarly used without a condom.
Latest annual figures published by The UK Health Security Agency revealed cases of the STI is continuing to surge. Syphilis diagnoses increased 9.4 per cent from 8,693 diagnoses in 2022 to 9,513 diagnoses in 2023
Syphilis is sometimes called ‘the great pretender’ as symptoms are similar to other STIs. Here are five warning signs of the disease to look out for
Although cases of syphilis are less prevalent than gonorrhoea, the rise in cases of syphilis suggests there is a lack of education on the STI, Dr Grant warns.
It’s thought changing sexual behaviours and treatment resistance believed to be behind the increase in STIs overall.
In 2023 there were 401,800 diagnoses of new STIs, an increase of 4.7 per cent since 2022.
Rising divorce rates, the emergence of Viagra, dating apps and the growth of retirement villages have also seen STI rates soar among baby boomers in recent years.
The trend has led to calls for new strategies to address poor sexual health, particularly among older generations who may have missed out on safe sex education.
He said: ‘Overall, as cases of both gonorrhoea and syphilis increase at a fast rate across the UK, understanding the tell-tale signs of these common STIs can ensure people receive the correct treatment and avoid further illness or damage to their health. ‘
‘Syphilis has a number of stages, with symptoms varying throughout, however, in general, these symptoms are mostly the same for both men and women,’ he explained.
Syphilis typically causes small sores to develop on or around the genitals or anus, and white warty growths in the same areas.
It usually takes three weeks from infection to develop symptoms.
If left untreated it can cause extremely serious and life-threatening health problems, harming the function of the heart, brain, nerves and other organs.
Dr Grant said: ‘In the primary stage, sores appear around the area where the infection entered the body, this could be the mouth, anus or genitals.
‘Interestingly, while the sores will heal on their own, the infection will remain in the body, highlighting the importance of seeking testing and treatment.’
Although these sores can appear around the mouth, unlike the painful blister clusters associated with herpes, sores of syphilis are usually painless skin lesions that predominantly form around the genitals, according to STD Rapid Test Kits.
If the infections is left untreated it can move to the secondary stage, causing rough red or reddish-brown rashes to appear on the palms and soles.
Dr Grant explains that other rashes can also appear across the body.
‘Other common symptoms experienced in the secondary stage of syphilis include fever, patchy hair loss, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes,’ he added.
However, the next and most dangerous stage can cause no symptoms at all.
Dr Grant said: ‘With syphilis, a latent stage can also take place. This can be tricky to spot as there are no visible symptoms.
‘Despite this, the infection attacks the body’s organs, causing damage over a long period of time.
‘This is why I recommend seeking urgent medical attention to remove the infection in its primary or secondary stages.’
The NHS warns that in some cases symptoms can improve or go away completely, but if the infection has been left untreated it is still in your body and can be passed on.
The health service explained that getting tested is the only way of confirming if you have syphilis.
The STI is treated with antibiotics either through injections, tablets and capsules. However, how long a person needs treatment for depends on their stage of syphilis.
