Talking about syphilis doesn't have to be a big deal but leaving it undiagnosed and untreated could be!

Syphilis is a sexually transmissible infection (STI).

There is an ongoing outbreak of infectious syphilis in Western Australia, with cases remaining high since the outbreak was declared in 2014.

With syphilis rates remaining high, we need to:

• talk about our sexual health with our partner/s get tested regularly at your local GP, Aboriginal Medical Service or sexual health clinic
• use a condom to protect ourselves and our partner/s.

It's easy to test for and can be cured with medicine.

How do you get syphilis?

Many people don't know they have syphilis because they don't see or feel anything different.

STIs are caused by germs that are spread through having sex with someone who has the infection. Anyone who has vaginal, anal (bum) or oral (mouth) sex without a condom can get syphilis.

Find out about syphilis symptoms (external site)

Get tested

You may not feel sick or any have any symptoms of syphilis. The only way to know if you have syphilis is to ask your healthcare worker for a syphilis blood test.

If you have a sore or ulcer, it is important that it gets swabbed to test for syphilis.

You should get a test if you:

• have had sex without a condom, or if the condom fell off or the condom broke
• have more than one sex partner since your last STI test
• have discharge, pain, or sores in or on the penis, vulva, vagina, rectum (bum) or mouth
• get told by a sex partner that they have tested positive for an STI
• can’t remember if you had sex or if a condom was used
• you and your partner are only having sex with each other and would like to stop using condoms (other contraception choices may need to be considered to prevent pregnancy)
• are not using condoms because you and your partner want to have a baby.

Find a service (external site)

Syphilis in pregnancy

Syphilis can put your baby’s life at risk.

If a pregnant person has syphilis it can be passed on to the baby.

So, if you know someone is pregnant, look out for mum and bub by helping them to see a healthcare worker for a syphilis blood test.

Make sure you get tested early and often throughout pregnancy.

Protecting our babies from syphilis takes all of us!

Any sexual partners should also get tested and treated. If they don’t get treated they are likely to give syphilis back to you.

Read more syphilis in pregnancy (external site).

Early treatment works well

If you have syphilis, you will get medicine through a needle (antibiotics).

When you have had all the medicine, you need to go back to the clinic for another test to make sure you are cured.

What happens if you don't get treated?

People can carry syphilis germs for many years, and the germs can damage their brains, hearts and other parts of their body.

Even if you have no sores or other signs of syphilis, it can still be damaging your body on the inside.

Syphilis germs stay in your body until you get treated. If you don’t get treated, you can pass it on to anyone you have sex with and if you get pregnant, your baby.

Let your partners know

If you have been treated for an STI, it is important to let your sex partner(s) know.

If you or your sex partners are not treated, are likely to get syphilis again.

How do you stop syphilis?

Talk

If you have been treated for an STI, it is important to let your sex partner/s know.

Get tested

Get an STI test and have regular health checks. Make sure your STI test includes a blood test for syphilis.

Use condoms

Use condoms and water-based lube every time you have sex.

If you are trying to have a baby or are pregnant, protect yourself and your baby by having sex only with people who you know do not have syphilis or any other STI.

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