Health experts have issued eight warning signs people should watch out for as cases of syphilis and other STIs have dramatically risen across the UK.
Medical researchers say diagnosed cases of infectious syphilis are are the highest level since just after the Second World War. New UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) figures show that overall there were 392,453 diagnoses of new STIs in England in 2022.
This is more than 1,000 every day and an increase of 23.8% compared with 2021, reports the Echo. Some cases can be linked to a boost in testing, but officials say the sharp spike "strongly suggests" there is more transmission of STIs in the population.
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The UKHSA said people aged 15 to 24 are most likely to be diagnosed with STIs as it urged those who are having sex with new or causal partners to wear a condom and get tested regularly. It said STIs are usually easily treated with antibiotics but many can cause serious health issues if left untreated.
Infectious syphilis diagnoses increased to 8,692 in 2022, the largest annual number since 1948. The NHS lists the following symptoms as syphilis warning signs:
- small sores (ulcers) on your genitals, or around your bottom – these are usually painless and you may only have one of them
- sores in other areas, including in your mouth or on your lips, hands or bottom
- white or grey warty growths most commonly on your genitals or bottom
- 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
NHS guidance also says : "It can take 3 weeks or more for the symptoms of syphilis to appear after you're infected. Sometimes the symptoms can improve or go away completely, but if you have not been treated the infection is still in your body.
"This means you can still pass it on and you're at risk of getting serious problems later on."
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)
- you've recently had sex with a new partner and did not use a condom
- you're pregnant or planning to get pregnant and think you might have syphilis
- you've injected drugs using a needle that's been used by someone who might have syphilis
Having a test is the only way to confirm if you have syphilis. If you do, treatment will need to be started as soon as possible. Tests for STIs are free on the NHS.
