New data from the UK Health Security Agency, published last Friday, shows a steep increase in rates of syphilis across the West Midlands.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) West Midlands Health Protection Team will be writing to GPs, local authorities, community pharmacists and other organisations to advise that the region has seen a sharp increase in new syphilis cases – the largest increase of any region in the UK.
From 2021 to 2023, the number of infectious syphilis cases in the region grew from 557 to 736. This is a 32% increase over that two year period.
Diagnoses of infectious syphilis in the West Midlands increased by:
- 121% (43 to 95) among heterosexual women
- 149% (75 to 187) among heterosexual men
- 25% (224 to 280) among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).
Doctor Steve Taylor, Medical Director of the the Birmingham based charity Saving Lives UK said:
“People don’t realise that syphilis is an infection that is a remains problem today. They just think it’s an historical issue.”
“Crucially, many don’t realise how easily it can be transmitted sexually – and that this includes oral sex. Furthermore, the symptoms can be subtle and a person can remain infectious to others for up to two years from the time of infection.”
“This mixture of symptoms that are difficult to spot and an assumption that syphilis is a disease of the past make fighting its spread particularly hard.”
UKHSA is reaching out to healthcare providers in the West Midlands to highlight the immediate importance of the challenge we are facing.
Angela Cartwright, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA West Midlands added:
“Syphilis can cause irreversible long-term health effects if not treated, including severe heart, brain, bone, eye and nerve complications. It can also be passed on to an unborn baby during pregnancy and may lead to miscarriage or long-term disability.”
“The good news is that once diagnosed, syphilis can be readily treated and cured with antibiotics, usually a single or a course of injections, or a short course of tablets. People need to avoid any sexual contact for at least two weeks after their treatment has finished, to make sure the infection does not return or spread. Untreated syphilis will not go away on its own.”
According to the NHS UK website the symptoms of Syphilis can include:
- Small sores (ulcers) on your penis, vagina, or around your bottom (anus) – these are usually painless and you may only have one of them
- Sores in other areas, including in your mouth or on your lips, hands or bottom
- White or grey warty growths most commonly on your penis, vagina or around your anus
- Rash on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet that can sometimes spread all over your body – this is not usually itchy
- White patches in your mouth
- Flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, headaches and tiredness
- Swollen glands
- Patchy hair loss on the head, beard and eyebrows
If you are experiencing any symptoms or believe you have been in contact with someone who recently tested positive for syphilis, please get in touch with your local sexual health service.
For more information, check out Doctor Steve Taylor’s blog on syphilis over on the Saving Lives UK website.
