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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported an increase in cases of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can lead to serious health issues, including dementia, if not treated. Recent statistics indicate there were 9,535 diagnoses of early-stage syphilis in England in 2024.
This marks a 2% rise from the 9,375 cases recorded in 2023. A UKHSA alert from earlier this year stated: “Notably, the overall cases of syphilis, encompassing late-stage syphilis or related complications, grew by 5%, rising from 12,456 in 2023 to 13,030 in 2024.”
As per NHS guidelines, if left untreated, syphilis can lead to “potentially life-threatening complications”. These complications encompass heart conditions like heart failure, various organ issues, dementia, and other brain-related disorders.
Syphilis symptoms are “often mild and hard to detect” and may “vary over time and intermittently occur”. Key indicators include painless sores or ulcers on the genitals, mouth, or hands, white or grey wart-like growths, and rashes on the palms or soles.
Some individuals may also have flu-like symptoms, patchy hair loss, and enlarged glands. Symptoms can take three weeks or longer to appear after infection.
NHS advice warns that even if symptoms significantly improve or vanish in some instances, “if you have not received treatment, the infection remains in your body”.
Should someone remain infected, they risk transmitting the disease to others while also facing potential serious health complications later on.
People are advised to consult a GP or attend a sexual health clinic if they or a sexual partner displays syphilis symptoms, if a sexual partner has informed them of having syphilis or another STI, or if they’ve recently engaged in unprotected sex with a new partner.
This guidance also applies if you’ve used needles for drug injection that may have been shared with someone potentially carrying syphilis, or if you’re expecting or planning pregnancy and suspect you might have the infection.
Antibiotics are used to treat syphilis. Should you test positive for syphilis, both current and recent sexual partners will require testing and treatment.
