So what is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a bacterial infection which is caused by bacteria known as Treponema Pallidum (see picture). Under the microscope, Syphilis can be seen as a spiral bacterium.

The condition used to be relatively common in the UK until the end of the Second World War. Then the widespread availability of antibiotics meant that condition became quite rare.

However, in recent years, the number of people with the condition has increased. There were 2,766 reported cases in the UK during 2006.

Catching Syphilis increases your chances of catching HIV. Also, HIV will alter the typical course of Syphilis, increasing the chances of it progressing to tertiary Syphilis.

Transmission & how to avoid it >>>