Syphilis

Syphilis is a curable STI that is becoming more common in Australia. Syphilis testing is simple and is recommended for all at-risk groups. Your partner may not know he or she is infected, and many of those infected will have no symptoms.

Leaving syphilis untreated in the body for many years may lead to severe and irreversible damage to the heart, blood vessels or brain. This can be avoided by STI screening. Syphilis testing and treatment are simple and hassle-free at Sexual Health North in Joondalup.

Syphilis Testing | Walk-in Sexual Health Clinic Perth

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a bacterial STI that is easily treatable with antibiotics. It is mainly passed on by having sex with an infected partner. The infection can also be transmitted from infected mothers to their babies during pregnancy. Often the infection is silent. Your partner may have no symptoms and will not know or suspect that he or she has the infection. In fact, many people with syphilis will only find out they have it because they had an STI screen that included a syphilis blood test.
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Be aware that syphilis is contagious, especially if there is an ulcer/sore or rash present. If you have recently had unprotected sex, you won’t know immediately whether you have been infected. It may take weeks to be detected on testing, sometimes as long as three months before syphilis can be excluded. For this reason, your doctor may offer treatment to those who have been exposed, even before an infection has been proven on testing.

STI Testing | Walk-in Sexual Health Clinic Perth

Syphilis symptoms & complications of not testing and treating

Known as “The Great Pretender”, the typical syphilis symptoms are more commonly caused by other conditions. This can cause confusion and may lead to misdiagnosis. Early symptoms can include a sore or ulcer on the genitals, mouth, anus, or other parts of your body. These sores are usually painless and often heal without treatment. Even though the sores have resolved, you continue to be infectious and may develop the more generalised symptoms outlined below.

Patients with syphilis can also experience:

  • lymph glands swellings
  • a rash
  • a fever
  • headaches
  • hair loss
  • warty growths on your genitals or around your anus
  • blurry vision or vision loss
  • hearing loss
  • damage to your nervous system
syphilis Perth

If left untreated, syphilis can lead to more serious complications such as damage to your heart and brain.

STI Testing | Walk-in Sexual Health Clinic Perth

How common is syphilis and who should get tested?

Syphilis is becoming more common in Perth. Those most at risk are men who have sex with men, people who have had sex overseas, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people. Even though these groups have an increased risk there have been infections found in every population group.

Our Perth STI specialists recommend testing if you are sexually active and have not been tested since your last partner. People who are in open relationships or frequently change partners should consider regular testing.

You should also get tested if:

  • you or your partner has symptoms of syphilis
  • you are pregnant
  • you or your partner gets notified they have been exposed to syphilis ( Let your doctor know that this is the reason you want testing)
  • your partner has sex with other partners
  • or you’ve had casual sex while travelling.
Condoms will help prevent acquiring syphilis but if the bacteria, especially in an ulcer, are present in an area not covered by a condom, you can still get syphilis. One example of this is having oral sex without a condom.

STI Testing | Walk-in Sexual Health Clinic Perth

How do we test you for syphilis?

Testing for syphilis is simple. Most often, you will have a blood test but we may also swab any sores.

Your STI specialist may recommend you have a follow-up test within three months, and whether you should have other STI tests at the same time.

syphilis Perth

Syphilis Treatment | Walk-in Sexual Health Clinic Perth

We offer treatments and prevention advice

Our sexual health STI specialists will try to make treatment as simple as possible by offering onsite diagnosis, prescriptions and treatment. Because our experienced specialists are experts in sexual health, we are able to remove the confusion around syphilis.

We also urge you to get the recommended follow-up blood tests after treatment at 3, 6, and 12 months to ensure successful treatment, as well as a repeat STI screen at 3 months after diagnosis.

Our clinic is not only committed to treating you but to assist you to avoid syphilis reinfections and other STIs. While condoms provide good protection, syphilis is often passed on through oral sex. It’s therefore important to get tested regularly if you are at risk. Our experienced STI specialists will offer advice on how to get your partner tested and treated to avoid reinfection.

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It’s important to remember that people with syphilis often have no symptoms, but that testing and treatment are easy. If you are in a high-risk group, protect yourself and your partners by getting tested regularly.

Patients with no symptoms can make use of our easy TestMyself service. Walk-ins are welcome whenever we are open. Our experienced STI specialists aim to provide high-quality sexual health services to all patients, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

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3/5 Regent's Park Road,
Joondalup 6027

08 6119 9140

Opening hours

Monday : 8.30 am - 1.00 pm
Tuesday : Closed
Wednesday : 9.00 am - 7.00 pm
Thursday : Closed
Friday : 9.00 am - 7.00 pm
Saturday : 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Sunday : Closed