Syphilis statistics and how to get tested

We haven’t blogged about Syphilis for a while, so thought we would update you with some of our latest findings:

• London has the highest number of reported syphilis cases in the UK
• Syphilis has more than ten times the number of reported cases than ten years – though this could be as more people are getting tested now
• The first syphilis lesion or chancre lasts 3 to 6 weeks if left untreated
• There are around 2000 to 3000 new cases of syphilis each year in the UK
• Syphilis is completely curable with antibiotics

Syphilis is tested with a small blood sample or swab of the suspected chancre and is one of the earliest STDs you can test for just 9 days after any “incident” although it is better to wait for 14 days.  You can be tested for Syphilis at any of our STD testing clinics across the UK and results will be back the same day the sample is received in the laboratory.