CASES of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can lead to dementia if not treated are on the rise in the UK.
Symptoms of the disease are often mild and “hard to notice” and can “change over time and may come and go”.
2
Recent figures published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have confirmed cases of syphilis are increasing across England.
There were 9,535 diagnoses of early-stage syphilis diagnoses in 2024 compared to 9,375 diagnoses in 2023 – a 2 per cent rise.
The UKHSA added that “concerningly” the overall figure for syphilis, including late-stage syphilis or complications from the infection, increased 5 per cent from 12,456 in 2023 to 13,030 in 2024.
Having been nearly eradicated, syphilis has made a huge comeback in recent years, with cases rising around the world.
It’s primarily transmitted through sexual contact among adults, but can also be transmitted vertically from infected mothers to their infants during pregnancy or child birth.
Most people with syphilis don’t notice any symptoms and don’t know they have.
This is because symptoms change over time and may come and go, says the NHS.
But if it’s left untreated, syphilis can cause serious and potentially life-threatening problems, including heart problems like angina, aortic aneurysm and heart failure, and brain problems like fits (seizures), memory problems, personality changes and dementia.
Explaining the link to dementia, the Alzheimer’s Society says syphilis is caused by a class of bacteria known as spirochetes.
It adds: “If a syphilis infection reaches the brain it can cause a condition known as neurosyphilis.
“Some of the symptoms of this include memory and thinking problems.
“If caught early it can be treated, but some case studies have shown continued thinking problems.”
Early syphilis can be cured, which is why it’s key to see a doctor as soon as you notice any symptoms.
Syphilis symptoms
The NHS says syphilis usually has three stages – and symptoms may be different depending on the stage.
The first stage, known as primary syphilis, can trigger symptoms between 10 days and three months after an infection.
A small, painless sore or ulcer on the penis, vagina, anus, rectum, tongue or lips may be the first sign.
While some people might only have one sore, others may have more.
Swelling in the lymph glands (such as in the neck, groin or armpit) often happens with the ulcers.
If syphilis is left untreated, the sore will disappear within two to six weeks, and the infection will move into its second stage.
Symptoms of secondary syphilis begin a few weeks after the original sore disappears.
Common symptoms include a non-itchy skin rash that can appear anywhere on the body, but commonly on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.
2
Tiredness, headaches, and swollen lymph glands can also occur.
Less common symptoms at this stage include fever, weight loss, patchy hair loss, and joint pains.
The NHS advises: “These symptoms may disappear within a few weeks, or come and go for a few months.
“Syphilis will then move into a stage where you will experience no symptoms. You’re still infected during this stage. This is called ‘latent syphilis’. You can still pass it on during the first year of this stage. After a couple of years, you can’t pass the infection to others, even though you remain infected. However, during this stage, the infection can be passed on from a mother to an unborn child during pregnancy.
“The latent stage can continue for many years (even decades) after you first become infected. Without treatment, there is a risk that latent syphilis will move on to the more serious stage –tertiary syphilis.”
Tertiary syphilis symptoms can begin years or even decades after the initial infection,and they’ll largely depend on what part of the body the infection spread to.
Symptoms may include stroke, dementia, loss of co-ordination, heart disease, blindness and paralysis.
At this stage, syphilis can be dangerous enough to cause death.
How to prevent syphilis
Using condoms consistently and correctly is the best way to prevent syphilis and many other STIs.
Getting tested regularly can also help detect the disease early.
And if you need to be treated, make sure you complete treatment if you or your partner have syphilis.
You should go to a sexual health clinic or see a GP if…
- you or a sexual partner have symptoms of syphilis
- a sexual partner has told you they have syphilis or another sexually transmitted infection (STI)
- you’ve recently had sex with a new partner and did not use a condom
- you’re pregnant or planning to get pregnant and think you might have syphilis
- you’ve injected drugs using a needle that’s been used by someone who might have syphilis
