The Celebrity of STDs
Syphilis is the historical STD par excellence. It caused the death and suffering of great personalities in the history of mankind. From the composer Schubert to writers, philosophers and poets, such as Guy de Maupassant, Stendhal, Lord Byron, James Joyce, Rimbaud, Paul Verlaine, Charles Baudelaire, Nietszche, Heine, Oscar Wilde, the painters Vicent Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin or Francisco de Goya, among many others.
Take the quick test now!
Unfortunately, to this day, syphilis is still alive and well in our community. And like everything that has to do with our health, early detection and diagnosis are our best weapon to prevent its spread and its devastating effects. For this reason, at Colors Sitges Link we have set up our Rapid Early Detection Testing Service for HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis C. It is carried out by our team of volunteers, properly trained in the field, and it is carried out safely, discreetly and with complete confidentiality. In just a few minutes you can clear up your doubts and, whatever the result, you will have the advice and support of all our services, thoroughly prepared for these tasks. To make an appointment with our service, call 93 811 11 66, send us a WhatsApp at 649 012 044 or send an email to vih@colorssitgeslink.org. Do not hesitate and do it now. Remember that “Knowledge is in your hand.”
What exactly is Syphilis?
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is mostly transmitted through sexual contact, skin to skin or between mucous membranes. It begins with a small, practically painless sore on the genitals, rectum, or mouth. It often goes unnoticed.
Risk factors for contracting Syphilis
- Engaging in unprotected sex (including oral sex).
- Have multiple sexual partners.
- Men who have sex with men.
Potentially contagious in the early stages of infection
Syphilis is most contagious during the early stages of infection. We can be helping the bacteria to spread among the population through our sexual contacts without even detecting any symptoms in ourselves. This is why early treatment of this infection is so important.
Syphilis infection facilitates HIV infection
Sores present in the early stages of syphilis infection are a perfect gateway for the HIV virus to enter the bloodstream. A genital or rectal sore increases the risk of HIV infection by two to five times.
Complications
If left untreated, syphilis can cause damage throughout the body. In addition, in the case of women during pregnancy, it can cause serious problems in the newborn. Early treatment can help to cut off transmission, as well as prevent future damage. This is one of the reasons why its early detection is crucial.
If left untreated, syphilis can lead to a number of long-term complications:
Neurological problems
- Hearing loss.
- Visual problems, including blindness.
- Meningitis
- Loss of sensitivity to pain and temperature.
- Erectile dysfunction and impotence.
- Urinary incontinence.
Cardiovascular problems
These can range from inflammation and aneurysm of the aorta, as well as the rest of the blood vessels, to serious damage to the heart valves.
Rapid HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis C Test Service
Remember that at Colors Sitges Link we have set up our Rapid Early Detection Testing Service for HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis C. It is carried out by our team of volunteers, properly trained in the field, and it is carried out safely, discreetly and with complete confidentiality. In just a few minutes you can clear up your doubts and, whatever the result, you will have the advice and support of all our services, thoroughly prepared for these tasks. To make an appointment with our service, call 93 811 11 66, send us a WhatsApp at 649 012 044 or send an email to vih@colorssitgeslink.org. Do not hesitate and do it now. Remember that “Knowledge is in your hand.”
With the support and advice of José Moltó,
doctor from the HIV Unit of the Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital
