Chelsea Joy
Bronze Member
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Syphilis is on the rise within Western Australia due to it being a communicable disease that can be passed onto another individual even from simply kissing. Syphilis is spread by unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex. It can also be spread through intimate or skin to skin contact with an infected person.Syphilis can be undected in many areas of the body which is the reasons the Perth metropolitan outbreak is increasing
The first signs of syphilis don’t last long, so you can have it and pass it on without knowing.
Some people get an ulcer or sore around the genital area or mouth, 3 to 12 weeks after infection. The sore can be any size or shape. It’s usually painless, doesn’t bleed, and feels like a hard button on the skin.
If not treated, the sore heals and disappears after a few weeks. But you are still infected, and the bacteria are in the bloodstream and spreading around the body. This is called the primary stage of the disease.
Two to 6 months after getting infected, you can develop a skin rash (on the face, palms, and soles of the feet), swollen glands, lumps around the moist areas of the body, and hair loss. You can also get headaches, and pains in your bones, muscles and joints. This is the secondary stage, which can last for 6 months or more.
Without treatment, there is a latent stage where there are no visible signs but you are still infectious and can pass on syphilis through sex for up to 2 years. If you have untreated syphilis for over 2 years (called the tertiary stage), the disease can affect the brain, heart, large blood vessels, the spinal cord, skin and bones. This can lead to disability and death.
See your doctor as soon as possible if you think you may have syphilis.
An infectious syphilis outbreak was identified in the Kimberley region in mid-2014 with related clusters identified in mid-2018 in the Pilbara region and the Goldfields in mid-2019. In mid-2020 the Chief Health Officer authorised a state-wide public health response to infectious syphilis in identified at-risk.
The first signs of syphilis don’t last long, so you can have it and pass it on without knowing.
Some people get an ulcer or sore around the genital area or mouth, 3 to 12 weeks after infection. The sore can be any size or shape. It’s usually painless, doesn’t bleed, and feels like a hard button on the skin.
If not treated, the sore heals and disappears after a few weeks. But you are still infected, and the bacteria are in the bloodstream and spreading around the body. This is called the primary stage of the disease.
Two to 6 months after getting infected, you can develop a skin rash (on the face, palms, and soles of the feet), swollen glands, lumps around the moist areas of the body, and hair loss. You can also get headaches, and pains in your bones, muscles and joints. This is the secondary stage, which can last for 6 months or more.
Without treatment, there is a latent stage where there are no visible signs but you are still infectious and can pass on syphilis through sex for up to 2 years. If you have untreated syphilis for over 2 years (called the tertiary stage), the disease can affect the brain, heart, large blood vessels, the spinal cord, skin and bones. This can lead to disability and death.
See your doctor as soon as possible if you think you may have syphilis.
An infectious syphilis outbreak was identified in the Kimberley region in mid-2014 with related clusters identified in mid-2018 in the Pilbara region and the Goldfields in mid-2019. In mid-2020 the Chief Health Officer authorised a state-wide public health response to infectious syphilis in identified at-risk.
