Syphilis in New Brunswick
Are you at risk for syphilis?
What is syphilis?
Syphilis is a potentially life-threatening sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria. This disease was rare in Canada but is now becoming more common. There has recently been an increase in the number of syphilis infections in New Brunswick.
Symptoms
You can have syphilis and not even know it - not everyone who is infected will have symptoms. Syphilis is also known as ‘the great imitator’ as symptoms can be similar to other illnesses. Symptoms can include a lesion, swollen glands, fever, muscle aches and a rash on the palms of hands and the soles of feet. There are different symptoms for each of the four stages of the infection.
Please refer to this fact sheet for a complete list of symptoms for each stage of the infection.
Facts
- New Brunswick usually has four to five cases of syphilis each year.
- In 2010, New Brunswick had over 30 cases – that is more than a 600% increase in infection.
- Syphilis is spread:
- mostly by having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person;
- by direct (usually intimate) contact with lesions of primary and secondary syphilis such as the chancre;
- by mother to child during pregnancy (the baby can suffer from birth defects or even die at birth); or
- by sharing contaminated drug equipment or through broken skin on the body.
- You cannot catch the infection by contact with: toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, shared clothing, eating utensils, etc.
- The more sexual partners you have, the higher your risk of contracting syphilis.
- If left untreated, syphilis can spread and cause damage to your brain, heart, bones, and many other organs. It can cause paralysis, dementia, and even death.
If you think you are at risk for syphilis, get tested.
Testing and Treating Syphilis
If you are experiencing symptoms or have reason to believe you have been infected with syphilis, get tested.
Where can I go to get tested?
- Your family physician or nurse practitioner; or
- For a list of the testing sites, click on the following link
What can I expect when I get tested for syphilis?
To test for syphilis, you will need to have a blood test. You may also have to undergo a physical exam and will be asked questions about your sexual history.
How quickly will I get my test results?
Test results are typically available within a week or two.
Is testing free?
Testing for syphilis is free.
Treating syphilis
- Syphilis can be cured. If you receive positive test results for syphilis, you will need to be treated immediately to reduce the risk of transmission and long-term effects. Your family doctor or a nurse practitioner will provide you with more information.
- A Public Health nurse will contact you to make sure that your sexual or drug use partners will be tested and treated.
- Syphilis is treated with antibiotics, usually penicillin by injection. After this treatment, you will be required to have blood tests to ensure the infection is out of your system.
How long will it take for the treatment to get rid of the infection?
- The duration of treatment of syphilis varies depending upon the stage of the disease.
- You should abstain from intercourse until your physician or nurse practitioner tells you it is safe to resume sexual relations.
- You should also abstain from intercourse until all sex partners have completed treatment.
Will I experience any side effects from the treatment?
You shouldn’t experience any major side effects from the treatment. If you have any questions about this, talk with your nurse practitioner or physician.
Will my positive test results be kept private?
Your test results and any discussion with you on this infection will be kept strictly confidential.
