Syphilis and HIV
Syphilitic ulcers facilitate the transmission of HIV infection, and therefore increase the likelihood of contracting the virus. This is because the ulcers provide a route for the infection to get into the blood system.
Research has also been carried out which reports that Syphilis infection can cause the viral load of people who are HIV positive to rise. Although syphilis is treatable, people living with HIV may experience more problems in curing a syphilis infection due having a weakened immune system. Therefore, treatment for Syphilis in people living with HIV may be longer compared with someone who is HIV negative.
