What is it?
All Infection of tha private parts is called sexually transmissible infection (STI).
STIs are caused by germs getting inside when you hava sex with someone with an STI.
You can get private help and treatment If you have an STI.
Syphilis (say Si-phil-is)
Syphlils (also called tha pox) is an STI that can make you sick.
A sore for women (called a chancre) somewhere on the genitals or body. The sore is not painful, so sometimes you don't notice it. The sore will go away without treatment, but syphilis stays in the body.
If syphilis is not treated, then it can cause an all over rash, including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The rash will go away without treatment but syphiis still stays in the body.
How do you get it?
Sexual contact - oral, vaginal or anal (bum) sex.
Can be passed to babies during birth.
Condoms protect you from catching syphilis.
What if I have it?
A health clinic or doctor can do a test for syphilis. They will take a small amount of blood and test it for syphilis. Sometimes if there is a sore the doctor or nurse may take a swab.
If you have syphilis, you will be given between 1-3 injections and it will be treated.
People you have sex with
It is best to let people you have had sex with, know you have been treated for an STI. If you are too shame, the clinic can do it for you without telling anyone your name.
If your sex partners are not treated, you may get that STI back and have to get treated again.
What if I don't get treated or don't know I've got it?
The syphilis germs stay in your body until you get treated. So even if you have no sores or other signs of syphilis, it can still be damaging you inside.
If you don't get treated, you can pass syphilis to anyone you have sex with.
The future
Syphilis can damage women's insides causing problems with childbirth. Pregnant women need to get a check up so syphilis can be treated. The earlier you find and treat infections the easier it is, and less damage is done to your body.
Go to the clinic for a check up.