09 June 2023 , 09:04
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A disease that killed millions of people in medieval times is on the rise again in the UK - and it's vital that you get tested early if you think you might have it.
The gruesome sexually transmitted infection gives people painful sores, warts and rashes, and can lead to fatal problems with your heart and brain without treatment.
Syphilis erupted across Europe in the 1490s, when the disease caused five million deaths and was described as "the great pox".
Now, new data from the UK Health Security Agency shows infectious syphilis diagnoses increased to 8,692 in 2022, up 15.2% compared to 2021, and the largest annual number since 1948.
Symptoms of syphilis can start with sores in the genital area before leading to more serious problems if left untreated (stock image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Cases of gonorrhoea also went up to 82,592 in 2022, reports Wales Online, an increase of 50.3% compared to 2021 - making it highest number of diagnoses in any one year since records began in 1918.
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The UK government says that while some increases will in part be due to more uptake in testing, the scale of the increase strongly suggests that there is also higher transmission of STIs within the population.
Here are eight symptoms of syphilis you should know about:
Symptoms of syphilis
According to the NHS, symptoms of initial syphilis infection can often be mild and hard to notice. They also tend to change over time, and may "come and go".
The symptoms are:
- small sores (ulcers) on your penis, vagina, or around your bottom (anus) – usually painless and may only appear once, or in one place
- sores in other areas, including in your mouth or on your lips, hands or bottom
- white or grey warty growths, most commonly on your penis, vagina or around your anus
- a rash on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet that can sometimes spread all over your body – this is not usually itchy
- white patches in your mouth
- flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, headaches and tiredness
- swollen glands
- patchy hair loss on the head, beard and eyebrows
Getting tested
It is important that you go to a sexual health clinic or see a GP if you or a sexual partner have symptoms of syphilis, a sexual partner has told you they have syphilis or another sexually transmitted infection (STI), or you recently had sex with a new partner and did not use a condom.
The NHS also said it is important to get tested if you're pregnant or planning to get pregnant, and suspect that you might have syphilis.
Tests for STIs are free on the NHS.
Treatment
Unlike in medieval times, these days syphilis can fortunately be treated with antibiotics - but you should wait until you have finished treatment and been given the all-clear before having sex.
If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious and potentially life-threatening problems including:
- heart problems like angina, aortic aneurysm and heart failure
- brain problems like fits (seizures), memory problems, personality changes and dementia
- nerve problems like shooting pains, pins and needles, joint pain and gradual damage the joints
- problems with the skin, bones, testicles, liver and any other organ.
These may not appear for many years after being infected.
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