Syphilis is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is becoming common in most provinces in Canada.¹²

Syphilis develops in stages: primary, secondary, latent and tertiary, with each stage presenting different symptom.¹³

• During the primary stage, a painless chancre (or sore) develops at the site in which the syphilis bacteria entered the body.¹⁴ Typically, within 10-90 days of exposure.¹⁴ For men the chancre usually will appear in the genital area, while for women, the chancre will usually develop either outside or inside the vagina.¹⁴
• The secondary stage is characterized by a rash which typically appears 2 to 8 weeks following the development of the chancre.¹⁴ The skin rash will usually heal within 2 months, however, the individual with syphilis is very contagious during the secondary stage and even after the rash heals, syphilis is still present, and the individual can still pass on the infection to others.¹⁴ Other symptoms may occur during this stage, meaning the infection is spreading through the body.¹⁴ These symptoms may consist of a fever less than 38C, a sore throat, body weakness, weight loss, patchy hair loss, headaches, irritability, paralysis, unequal reflexes, and irregular pupils.¹⁴
• If syphilis is left untreated, it will progress into what is known as the latent stage.¹⁴ This is also known as the hidden stage of syphilis.¹⁴ Following the secondary stage rash, the body will not show any symptoms for period ranging from 1-20 years.¹⁴ An accurate diagnosis during this stage can only be done through a blood test or birth of a child who has congenital syphilis.¹⁴ An individual remains contagious during the early period of the latent stage and is at risk of still transmitting the infection even when no symptoms are present.¹⁴
• 20%-30% of people with syphilis will experience a relapse of the secondary stage during the latent stage.¹⁴
• Finally, is the tertiary stage, which is the most harmful stage of syphilis.¹⁴ The tertiary stage may begin as early as one year after initially being infected or for some, they will never experience the tertiary stage of the illness.¹⁴ Complications related to the tertiary stage are Gummata (large sores inside the body or on the skin), Cardiovascular syphilis (affects the heart and the blood vessels), and Neurosyphilis (affects the brain and rest of the nervous system).¹⁴
• Alberta declared a syphilis outbreak in 2019 after 2265 cases reported that year and an additional 2500 cases being reported in 2500.¹⁵
• Syphilis can be treated with specific antibiotics.¹⁵