Nurse in area with some of the highest rates of syphilis in Wales urges people to get tested

Accessing free and confidential testing regularly is the best way to lower rates of the sexually transmitted infection syphilis, along with general prevention work which reduces the spread of the infection.

That’s the advice from a sexual health nurse in Swansea Bay University Health Board, which continues to see higher levels of syphilis than many other areas of Wales.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can be cured with antibiotics. And the earlier the infection is caught, the shorter the duration of the treatment.

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.”

Carly and her colleagues in the Sexual Health Service are working with a public health specialist and Primary Care to raise awareness about this persistent problem.

Left to right: Senior Public Health Practitioner Sarah Johnson, Regional Health Protection Manager Rebecca Davies, Sexual Health Lead Nurse Emma Thomas and Sexual Health Advanced Nurse Practitioner Carly Porter Credit: SBUHB

They’ve produced new eye-catching posters which are set to go up across the area.

A key part of their message is that many people have no symptoms at all, meaning infections can go undetected and passed on unknowingly. They believe this may be one of the reasons infection levels remain high.

Carly believes another factor may be that 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 your 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 Carly.

“While more cases are seen in males aged 25 to 34, that is not the whole story.

“Anyone who is sexually active can be affected and we have seen cases in people aged from 17 to 70 plus.

“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.”

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, which is why early testing and treatment are particularly important

Testing is free and can be accessed at sexual health clinics, in 47 community pharmacies across Swansea Bay or by ordering an at-home testing kit.

Carly said the at-home kit is discrete and is delivered in a plain cardboard package that looks just like any other delivery from an online retailer.

It contains a small finger-prick blood test for syphilis. But the kits also include swabs and a bottle for a urine test because they can also test for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea.

Once you have sent the test off the results will be texted to you along with advice on how to access treatment, should it be needed. The same kits are available through the 47 pharmacies.

Alternatively, tests are available in the sexual health clinics.

You don’t need to have symptoms to pick up/order the online tests or for the test to work.

Carly said anyone who is sexually active can get a test, but she particularly recommends it if you have any concerns or have a new partner.

She said: “My motto is that negative results are just as important as the positives. 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.

“We also recommend getting the other tests for sexually transmitted infections. We can also do those tests in clinic, or you can order them online.”

All testing and advice are confidential and accessible to all regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation or relationship status. 

The team will not routinely discuss you with anyone else including your GP or other hospital services, unless they feel there is a risk of harm.

But they urge anyone with a positive result to inform their sexual partner as soon as possible so they can also get tested and treated.

Hannah Richards, Interim Senior Operations Manager in Primary and Community Care, added: “We understand that syphilis is not something people necessarily think about. But getting tested for this and other sexually transmitted infections should be a routine part of looking after yourself and others.”

• Book an appointment with our sexual health clinics via an online form on this page. We will respond to your query within 48 working hours.
• Go to www.shwales.online to access the Sexual Health Wales Test and Post Service, as well as information on contraception, unplanned pregnancy, relationships and more.
• If you don’t live in Swansea or Neath Port Talbot, use the link above or go to your local NHS health board website to access testing and advice.