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Syphilis is on the rise in Calgary. In 2008, there have been more than 200 confirmed cases of Syphilis.

What is Syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection. It is caused by bacteria called Treponema pallidum.

What are the symptoms?
Syphilis progresses in stages and people often don’t know that they are infected because the symptoms are not easy to see or feel.

What are the stages of Syphilis?
Primary Stage (9-90 days after contact) – A person infected with Syphilis will experience a painless sore where contact was made with the bacteria. The sore is highly infectious (meaning, it can be passed easily from person to person). The sore will disappear on its own, but if left untreated, the person can still pass it on to others.

Secondary Stage (1-6 months) – If left untreated, the infection progresses to the secondary stage. The person will experience a non-itchy rash somewhere on their body. The rash can sometimes appear on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet but it has been reported to show up elsewhere. Other symptoms include patchy hair loss, swollen lymph glands, and muscle and joint pain. Syphilis is still highly infectious at this stage.

Tertiary Stage/Latent Stages – Syphilis can stay in a person’s body for decades and if left untreated, it can progress to the later (tertiary) stages. Eventually, the bacterial infection can cause severe damage to organs and could ultimately cause death.

How is it transmitted?
Syphilis is transmitted through sexual contact (vaginal, anal, oral), from direct contact with the sore or rash if it is present, or from body fluids (semen, vaginal fluid, etc) containing the bacteria. The sores and rash generally appear where contact was first made with the bacteria (vagina, penis, inner thighs, mouth, and back of the throat). A mother can also transmit Syphilis to her baby. Syphilis testing is routine for pregnant women. If pre-natal screening and testing has not occurred, syphilis can lead to death in a new born baby.

How can I get tested for Syphilis?
The test for Syphilis is a blood test. It is not part of routine testing so a person must ask to be tested. If you do not have a family doctor, or don’t feel comfortable asking your doctor, you can access:

Calgary STD Clinic
Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre
5th Floor, 1213 – 4th Street SW
Calgary, AB, T2R 0X7

Safeworks
Safeworks has several day sites throughout the week, and also has a mobile van service. You can call them on the van after 8pm at 403-850-3755 or at the Sheldon Chumir office between 4:00-7:45pm at 403-955-6014.

Prevention
You can reduce your risk of Syphilis transmission with safer sexual practices:
- proper condom use for oral, anal and vaginal intercourse and shared sex toys
- use of gloves and/or dental dams (or condom cut lengthwise)
- communication with partner and negotiation of safer sex practices
- regular testing

Treatment
Syphilis is curable with antibiotics (usually penicillin), and it is easier to treat when diagnosed early.