Are you new to Sydney and looking to find your community? ACON has you covered with their ‘Top 5 tips for finding your community when you arrive in Sydney! – LGBTQ edition’. This month, the International Student Health Hub is sharing a blog post written by our wonderful friends over […]
What do you think about when you hear the term ‘safe sex’? People often think the term safe sex is only about protecting themselves and partners from unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmissible infections (STIs). But safe sex means much more than that – it’s not just about whether you’re being sexually […]
Welcome to the International Student Health Hub! The International Student Health Hub was designed by international students and professionals who support students, for international students. The Hub was developed to improve access to sexual and reproductive health information and services. Lots of students told us it was hard to find […]
Are you new to Sydney and looking to find your community? ACON has you covered with their ‘Top 5 tips for finding your community when you arrive in Sydney! – LGBTQ edition’. This month, the International Student Health Hub is sharing a blog post written by our wonderful friends over […]
What do you think about when you hear the term ‘safe sex’? People often think the term safe sex is only about protecting themselves and partners from unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmissible infections (STIs). But safe sex means much more than that – it’s not just about whether you’re being sexually […]
Welcome to the International Student Health Hub! The International Student Health Hub was designed by international students and professionals who support students, for international students. The Hub was developed to improve access to sexual and reproductive health information and services. Lots of students told us it was hard to find […]
Have you ever had questions about sex and sexual health, and wondered if anyone else has the same questions? There are so many myths when it comes to sex and sexual health that it can be hard to know what the facts are. We have pulled together questions and answers […]
Syphilis can be easily treated with medication if caught early. But it can cause serious harm to the heart and brain later in life if it’s not treated.
Syphilis is an infection that can be passed from person to person during vaginal, anal, and oral sex with someone who has the infection.
Syphilis can have no signs or symptoms. This means you won’t know you have it unless you get an STI test.
Even without symptoms, it can still be passed on. Symptoms may include sores around the mouth, genitals or anus (bottom), a red rash on the hands, back, chest or feet and tiredness.
Without proper treatment, syphilis can damage different parts of the body including the heart, brain, spinal cord, eyes and bones. Syphilis can also cause birth defects and miscarriage in people who are pregnant.
Watch the video to learn more about syphilis.
This video has been created by our friends over at the Australian Government.
Syphilis can be passed on through skin-to-skin contact when you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has syphilis. Syphilis can also be passed on from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. Using protection such as condom and/or dam is a great and effective way to protect you from syphilis.
Syphilis is tested for by a blood test. If you have symptoms, like an ulcer or a sore, a swab will be taken.
You can get a syphilis test at your local doctor, a sexual health clinic and some university health clinics. You can call the Sexual Health Infolink on
1800 451 624 (free call) to find the closest service to you. STI tests are easy, confidential and nothing to be ashamed about.
Syphilis is treated with antibiotic injections. Depending how long you have had the infection you may need treatment once only or once a week
for 3 weeks.
If your test is positive for syphilis, it’s important to let your sexual partners know so they can get tested and treated too. If you need help contacting your partners ask your doctor, visit Let Them Know or call the Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 (free call).
If you would like an interpreter to help you access health services or information, you can contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.