People urged to get tested for syphilis over high rates

People in an area of Wales with some of the highest rates of syphilis are being urged to get tested for the sexually transmitted infection.

Swansea Bay University Health Board have said they continue to see higher levels of syphilis than many other areas of Wales.

Advanced Nurse Practitioner Carly Porter said: "Anyone who is sexually active can be affected and we have seen cases in people aged from 17 to 70 plus."

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can be cured with antibiotics but many people experience no symptoms at all, meaning infections can go undetected and be passed on unknowingly.

Advanced nurse practitioner Carly Porter said: "As far as I am concerned, the sooner you test, the sooner you are diagnosed and the sooner you are treated."

The health board said providing access to free and confidential testing regularly is the most effective way to lower transmission rates, along with general prevention work to help reduces the spread of the infection.

Porter believes many people are not aware syphilis can be contracted via oral sex alone.

Early symptoms can include a rash on the palm of your hands, the soles of your feet, or on your chest or stomach.

Small painless ulcers might affect genital area but can also be found in other areas of the body. You may also experience swollen lymph nodes.

"Education is important, as is destigmatising syphilis," said Porter.

"What we want is for people to have sex safely. Using condoms is a brilliant start. But if you are concerned, get tested, even if you don't have symptoms. This helps us to identify cases, start treatment and reduce the spread.

Porter said negative results are just as important as the positive.

"If you test now and get a negative result that's a good benchmark because if you test again and get a positive result, we will have an idea of how long you have had the infection," she added.

Senior public health practitioner Sarah Johnson said cases of syphilis have risen steadily across Wales over the last decade.

Across the UK, diagnoses have reached their highest level since 1948.

"We have seen a slight drop in cases over the past two years in Swansea Bay, but Carly and her colleagues still see a lot of patients, including pregnant women, which is why we want to start the conversation," said Sarah.

Syphilis can be passed from mother to baby, known as congenital syphilis and can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth.

Pregnant women are offered screening for syphilis so it can be found and treated before it causes any serious problems.