Did you see the latest from Sydney’s Kirby Institute? Australia is seeing its highest number of syphilis cases in a decade. If you’re working with young people and they have questions or concerns about this, a little bit of knowledge can really make a difference in reassuring them.
Now, you don’t have to be an expert, but it’s always good to be prepared. This article will help you get ready for any questions that might come your way. We’ll cover the basics of syphilis, including how it’s transmitted, its symptoms, and the available treatments. Plus, we’ll discuss how to create a safe and supportive environment for the young people you’re working with.
What is syphilis? Syphilis is an STI caused by the bacteria Treponema Pallidum. The good news is, it’s treatable with antibiotics and injections. However, if left untreated, it can lead to some serious and sometimes life threatening health issues.
Some of the common symptoms of Syphilis include:
Syphilis transmission happens through skin-to-skin contact during oral, vaginal, or anal sex, particularly when there are symptoms like ulcers or rashes. Even though syphilis symptoms may go away on their own, the infection will stay in the body until a person has treatment. Treatment is the key to saying goodbye to syphilis for good.
One question you’re likely to be asked by a young person is ‘can syphilis be cured?’ or ‘is syphilis treatable?’. As we’ve mentioned already, the good news is that syphilis is 100% curable through a course of antibiotics and injections.
Of course, before treatment, it has to be diagnosed. Diagnosis happens via a blood test or the swab of an ulcer, usually by a doctor or sexual health nurse. After treatment, follow-up testing is completed to make sure the infection has cleared.
When chatting with young people it’s important not to alarm them about syphilis or any STI. Instead, encourage young people to have a regular STI test with their GP or healthcare provider. It’s an important step you can take to normalise sexual health and foster healthy decision making among the people you work with.
For information on where a young person can get a sexual health check at or for other questions about STIs and syphilis, call the NSW Sexual Health Infolink (SHIL) to speak to a sexual health nurse.
Talking about sexual health can be daunting for both professionals and young people. As professionals, it’s important to do everything possible to make them feel comfortable to open up and talk about what’s on their mind. Let them know they’re in a safe space where there’s no judgement and no silly questions.
Keep your answers simple and clear, avoiding unnecessary jargon. And remember, validation of feelings and concerns can go a long way in building trust. If you’re asked questions you don’t know the answer to, that’s not a problem! You can explore the Play Safe website to find your answer, or call the the NSW Sexual Health Infolink (SHIL) to speak to a sexual health nurse.
The best way to protect against syphilis is to use condoms and to get regular STI tests. When chatting with young people, speak about sexual health in general and how condoms and regular testing are the cornerstones to staying safe and enjoying sex with all of the fun and none of the worry.
A good resource for them would be the 30-second ‘Could I have an STI?’ quiz on the Play Safe website, which will let them know in no time if they need an STI test or not.
Don’t forget to give free condoms to anyone who needs them too. You can order a bag of 144 Play Safe branded condoms and lubricant to your service for free every month using Play Safe Pro’s condom ordering tool.
Interactive games can be a fantastic way to break the ice and open up conversations around sexual health with less pressure than a straightforward conversation. Why not try the Handshake Game?
This easy-to-follow game visually demonstrates the transmission of infections such as syphilis and the benefits of safe sex. It only takes around 10 minutes and is suitable for up to 30 people. Everyone who takes part will be introduced to sexual health concepts relating to safer sex, STIs, and sexual health testing and treatment — without an awkward moment in sight.
While it’s important to be able to open up conversations with young people about syphilis and sexual health, it’s always important to know the scope and limitations of your role and to direct them to a GP or their healthcare provider for personalised information, testing, and treatment.
If they’re unsure where to go, they can give NSW Sexual Health Infolink a call, or they can use the online ‘Where can I get tested?’ tool on the homepage of the Play Safe website.
If you want to learn more about syphilis to guide your discussions with young people, or someone in your service wants to know more, check out the links below.
