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00:00Hi, I'm health reporter Sarah McCann. Cases of a Victorian-era STI are on the rise,
00:06according to the latest data from UKHSA. Here's everything you need to know.
00:12Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause serious and potentially life-threatening
00:16problems if not treated. In 2024, UKHSA can reveal that there were 9,535 cases of early-stage
00:24syphilis, up by 2% from the year before. Whilst for cases of late-stage syphilis, this was up by 5%
00:31at 13,030 cases. The most common way of getting syphilis is by having unprotected sexual contact
00:39with someone who is infected. However, there are other ways that you can catch the STI.
00:44This can include it being passed on to an unborn baby by injecting drugs with the needle that has
00:49been used by someone who is infected with syphilis, or in very rare cases, through a blood or organ
00:56transplant. It can take three weeks or more for symptoms of syphilis to appear. They can include
01:02small sores on your genitals or bottom, sores in your mouth, lips or hands, white or grey,
01:09woody growths on your genitals, a rash on the palm of your hands and soles of your feet that can
01:14sometimes spread, white patches in your mouth, flu-like symptoms, swollen glands and patchy
01:21hair loss on your head, beard and eyebrows. If you suspect you have syphilis, it's vital
01:27that you go to your GP or sexual health clinic as soon as possible to get tested. If you do
01:33have syphilis, it can be treated by antibiotics. It's really important that you do not have sexual
01:40contact with anyone until you have finished your treatment and had tests to show that
01:44your treatment has been successful. If you have a partner, it's important that your partner
01:49is also treated and that you both hold off from sexual contact until the tests have confirmed
01:54that the antibiotics have cleared the infection.
01:57If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious or potentially life-threatening complications.
02:02This can include heart problems such as angina or even heart failure, brain problems such
02:07as seizures or personality changes, nerve problems and problems with your skin, your bones, your
02:13testicles, liver or even any other organ. This is why it's really vital that if you suspect
02:19you have syphilis that you seek out help as soon as possible.
02:22You can find out more information about syphilis, the signs, the symptoms and where to go if you
02:27suspect that you have been infected at nhs.uk.
02:37Oh my god.