Did you know that...? - Syphilis is a serious STI which is fortunately no longer so widespread.
- It is caused by a bacteria.
- The bacteria that causes syphilis lodges in the vagina, the penis or the rectum (anus) and sometimes in the mouth.
- Where the infection is situated depends on the way people have had sex (vaginal or anal).
- The bacteria can later spread throughout the body via the blood, with serious consequences.
- Syphilis is a highly contagious STI with the number of people infected growing each year.
- Syphilis is easily spread by coming in contact with a sore that it causes. This contact can be through the the penis, vagina, anus or mouth.
Stages of Syphilis - Syphilis (lues, hard chancre, hard ulcer) is a disease with several stages. During the first stage you may have one or more (small) ulcers/sores on or around the penis, vagina, rectum or sometimes in the mouth. This happens two to twelve weeks after you have contracted syphilis. Even if untreated, the ulcer disappears by itself within two or three weeks.
- A few weeks to several months later, the second stage sets in. The syphilis has then spread throughout the body via the bloodstream. At this point you may be affected by skin eruptions or flu-like symptoms. These symptoms, too, disappear without treatment.
- If you have not had any treatment during the first two stages of syphilis, the disease enters the third stage. The syphilis is still in your body and it can cause serious damage to various internal organs.
What will someone notice? - Syphilis often begins with a small sore in the mouth or on the penis, vagina or anus.
- It can then spread through your whole body via the bloodstream, causing severe damage to several organs such as the heart and the brain.
- Luckily, Syphilis can be cured easily if you go to your doctor in time.
- If you have syphilis, it is important to warn everyone with whom you have had sex, so that they can also be tested and treated.
Do you have any symptoms? Or do you think you might have been exposed to unsafe sex? It is important to have yourself tested as soon as possible. For assistance, you can go to: your general practitioner (GP, huisarts in Dutch), the GGD or the AIDS STI Help Line (0900 20420440 (10 ct/min); Monday 10:00-22:00. Tuesday-Friday 14:00-22:00. Mail: infolijn@soaaids.nl) |
