Syphilis

Syphilis is an STI caused by bacteria. It is passed through contact with a syphilis lesion (sore or rash). Rates of syphilis have significantly increased in Saskatchewan in the past few years, with several areas of the province issuing syphilis alerts and outbreak notices. Women of reproductive age are of particular concern because of the risk for congenital syphilis (syphilis passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or delivery). For more information on congenital syphilis, click here.

Get Tested

Symptoms

Syphilis can cause a variety of symptoms, but an infected person may not experience any symptoms. Even if a person experiences no symptoms, the infection can still be passed to others. Each stage of syphilis has different possible symptoms. There are four stages of syphilis: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary.

	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4
Time since infection:	3 – 90 days*	2 weeks – 6 months	2 – 30 years	10 – 30 years
Symptoms might include:	Sores (often painless or hidden) Swollen lymph nodes in the groin or neck *Usually occurs three weeks after infection	Rash, fever, lack of energy and appetite, sore throat, patchy hair loss, painless sores, headache, difficulty seeing or hearing	No symptoms, but damage to nervous system, bones and organs continues	Serious organ damage, numbness, vision or hearing loss, dementia, problems controlling muscles

Primary syphilis (the first stage) may have the following symptoms:

One or more painless sores in the genital area, rectum, or mouth
Swollen lymph nodes in the groin or neck (usually within a week of the sore appearing)

While sores usually heal and disappear within 3 to 6 weeks, treatment is still necessary. Without treatment, syphilis can progress to the next stage.

Secondary syphilis (the second stage) may have the following symptoms:

Rash on the palms of hands and/or bottom of feet
Fever
Lack of energy and appetite
Sore throat
Patchy hair loss
Painless sores on moist areas (genitals, inside the mouth, throat, anus)
Headache
Weight loss
Swollen lymph nodes in groin or neck
Muscle aches
Hearing and vision loss

The third stage, known as the latent stage, begins when the secondary stage ends. There are no symptoms, but the infection can still damage the person’s nervous system, bones, and organs and can be passed between partners.

The fourth stage of syphilis, known as the tertiary stage, occurs a year or more after the initial infection. Resulting problems may appear 10 to 30 years after initial infection. These problems may include the following:

Organ damage, including to the heart, blood vessels, brain, and nervous system
Numbness
Problems controlling muscles
Hearing loss
Vision loss
Dementia

Transmission

Syphilis is passed between partners through contact with a syphilis lesion (sore or rash) in the genitals or mouth, or through vertical transmission (mother to child transmission) during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. Syphilis is most infectious during the primary and secondary stages.

Syphilis is most commonly passed through unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sexual contact. Although rare, syphilis can also be passed through sharing of sex toys, wet kissing, or sharing substance use equipment.

If a pregnant person is infected with syphilis (either before or during pregnancy) and is not successfully treated, the infection can be passed to the baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. This is called congenital syphilis. For more information on congenital syphilis, including information about treatment for pregnant people with syphilis, click here.

Having syphilis increases the risk of becoming infected with and passing on HIV. For more information about HIV, click here.

Testing

Testing for syphilis requires a blood sample or swab of the infected area. Testing is free and confidential. Syphilis is a reportable infection, meaning that it must be reported to public health whenever an infection is confirmed to help prevent spread of the infection. Information about the infected person remains strictly confidential (i.e., private; only health professionals have access to it, and they cannot share this information with the public). Health professionals will work with the person to contact current and past sexual partner(s) so they can get tested and treated if needed.

All pregnant people should be tested for syphilis (along with other STBBIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV) during their first prenatal visit. Repeat testing may be important for some pregnant people. Pregnant people should discuss their need for repeat testing with their healthcare providers.

For more information about syphilis and community resources in Saskatchewan, visit www.talksyphilis.ca.

To find a testing site near you, download the Keep It Safe Saskatchewan (KIS-SK) smart phone app: www.skprevention.ca/kis-sk.

Treatment

Syphilis is curable with an injection of antibiotics (a special form of penicillin). Syphilis can only be cured when all required antibiotic doses are given. This is usually one or three doses over three weeks. It is important to not engage in sexual activity until all doses of penicillin have been given.

If a pregnant person is diagnosed with syphilis, early treatment with antibiotics can help prevent passing syphilis to the baby. For more information on congenital syphilis, click here.

Prevention

A person successfully treated for syphilis can become reinfected. It is important to practice safer sex to reduce the risk of syphilis infection and reinfection. This includes:

reducing the number of sexual partners
correctly and always using condoms and dental dams during sexual activities
avoiding sexual contact with partners who have symptoms of syphilis (e.g., sores - often painless or hidden, swollen lymph nodes in groin or neck, rash, fever, sore throat, headache, lack of energy and appetite, patchy hair loss, difficulty seeing or hearing)
getting tested regularly for syphilis and other STBBIs (every 3 to 6 months for those who are sexually active)
talking to partner(s) about STBBI status and safer sex, and encouraging them to get tested

Resources

Posters

Let’s Talk About Syphilis
Poster, 2023

Syphilis is on the rise in Saskatchewan. This poster highlights the importance of testing and treatment for syphilis. It also promotes the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute’s website www.talksyphilis.ca,which outlines information about syphilis and congenital syphilis, symptoms, testing, and treatment. The website also provides information for healthcare providers.

> Add to cart
Show Details

Let’s Talk About Syphilis quantity

or
Download File
SKU: 7-905
Syphilis
Poster, 2019

Rates of syphilis have significantly increased in Saskatchewan in the past several years, with areas of the province issuing syphilis alerts and outbreak notices. Women of reproductive age are of particular concern because of the risk for congenital syphilis (syphilis passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or delivery). This poster highlights that syphilis can harm pregnancies and unborn babies, but it is curable. Therefore, it is important for pregnant women to be tested and treated if infected.

> Add to cart
Show Details

Syphilis quantity

or
Download File
SKU: 7-023

Information Cards

Let’s Talk About Syphilis
Information Card, 2023

Syphilis is on the rise in Saskatchewan. This information card highlights the importance of testing and treatment for syphilis, and outlines the stages and associated symptoms of syphilis. It also promotes the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute’s website www.talksyphilis.ca, which includes further information about syphilis and congenital syphilis, symptoms, testing, and treatment. The website also provides information for healthcare providers.

> Add to cart
Show Details

Let’s Talk About Syphilis quantity

or
Download File
SKU: 7-904
Syphilis Information Card – Mother
Information Card, 2021

Rates of syphilis have dramatically increased in Saskatchewan in recent years. Women of reproductive age are of particular concern because of the risk for congenital syphilis (syphilis passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or delivery). This information card highlights that syphilis can harm pregnancies and unborn babies, but it is preventable and curable. Therefore, it is important for pregnant women to be tested and treated if infected.

> Add to cart
Show Details

Syphilis Information Card - Mother quantity

or
Download File
SKU: 7-903

Reports

Congenital Syphilis Literature Review
Report, Updated 2026

Recognizing the importance of understanding syphilis in the context of pregnancy, the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute conducted a review of the literature in this area. The review covers findings and recommendations on congenital syphilis transmission, prevention, treatment, and aftercare, as well as information about short- and long-term outcomes of congenital syphilis.

> Read more
Show Details

Download File

SKU: 7-547

Links

Government of Saskatchewan - Syphilis
Information on syphilis in Saskatchewan.
Saskatoon Sexual Health - Understanding Syphilis & The Rise in Infections
Information on syphilis and congenital syphilis in Saskatchewan.
Public Health Agency of Canada - Syphilis
Information on syphilis in Canada.
Indigenous Services Canada - Syphilis in Indigenous Communities
Fact sheets to support syphilis awareness and share testing and treatment information.
CATIE - Strong Women, Strong Communities
Poster series to support syphilis awareness among Indigenous women.
CATIE - Syphilis: What You Need to Know
Booklet on syphilis in Canada.
CATIE - Syphilis
Fact sheet on syphilis in Canada including prevention strategies.
Let’s Talk About Syphilis
Information on syphilis, testing, treatment, and community resources in Saskatchewan.
Keep It Safe Saskatchewan (KIS-SK)
Smart phone app with information on sexually transmitted infections, contraceptives, and testing sites in Saskatchewan.

Information for Healthcare Providers

Clinical Resources

Syphilis - Public Health
Saskatchewan Health Authority
Syphilis, Communicable Disease Control Manual
Government of Saskatchewan
Decision Making Algorithm for Syphilis for Primary Care Providers
Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority
Canadian STBBI Guidelines (Apple App Store or Google Play)
Public Health Agency of Canada
Let’s Talk About Syphilis
Public Health Agency of Canada

Additional Resources

Syphilis
Saskatchewan Ministry of Health
Diagnosis and Management of Congenital Syphilis - Avoiding Missed Opportunities
The Canadian Paediatric Society
Congenital Syphilis
National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases
Let’s Talk About Syphilis
Public Health Agency of Canada
Responding to Syphilis in Canada
Public Health Agency of Canada
Syphilis
CATIE

Webinars

Syphilis Foundations
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute & CATIE
Syphilis in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute
Syphilis in Saskatchewan: Impacts and Opportunities in Indigenous Communities
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute
Syphilis in Canada: Where We Are, How We Got Here, and What We Can Do About It
CATIE
HIV and Syphilis in the Prairies: Intersecting Epidemics
CATIE

Syphilis

Syphilis is an STI caused by bacteria. It is passed through contact with a syphilis lesion (sore or rash). Rates of syphilis have significantly increased in Saskatchewan in the past few years, with several areas of the province issuing syphilis alerts and outbreak notices. Women of reproductive age are of particular concern because of the risk for congenital syphilis (syphilis passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or delivery). For more information on congenital syphilis, click here.

Get Tested

Symptoms

Syphilis can cause a variety of symptoms, but an infected person may not experience any symptoms. Even if a person experiences no symptoms, the infection can still be passed to others. Each stage of syphilis has different possible symptoms. There are four stages of syphilis: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary.

	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4
Time since infection:	3 – 90 days*	2 weeks – 6 months	2 – 30 years	10 – 30 years
Symptoms might include:	Sores (often painless or hidden) Swollen lymph nodes in the groin or neck *Usually occurs three weeks after infection	Rash, fever, lack of energy and appetite, sore throat, patchy hair loss, painless sores, headache, difficulty seeing or hearing	No symptoms, but damage to nervous system, bones and organs continues	Serious organ damage, numbness, vision or hearing loss, dementia, problems controlling muscles

Primary syphilis (the first stage) may have the following symptoms:

One or more painless sores in the genital area, rectum, or mouth
Swollen lymph nodes in the groin or neck (usually within a week of the sore appearing)

While sores usually heal and disappear within 3 to 6 weeks, treatment is still necessary. Without treatment, syphilis can progress to the next stage.

Secondary syphilis (the second stage) may have the following symptoms:

Rash on the palms of hands and/or bottom of feet
Fever
Lack of energy and appetite
Sore throat
Patchy hair loss
Painless sores on moist areas (genitals, inside the mouth, throat, anus)
Headache
Weight loss
Swollen lymph nodes in groin or neck
Muscle aches
Hearing and vision loss

The third stage, known as the latent stage, begins when the secondary stage ends. There are no symptoms, but the infection can still damage the person’s nervous system, bones, and organs and can be passed between partners.

The fourth stage of syphilis, known as the tertiary stage, occurs a year or more after the initial infection. Resulting problems may appear 10 to 30 years after initial infection. These problems may include the following:

Organ damage, including to the heart, blood vessels, brain, and nervous system
Numbness
Problems controlling muscles
Hearing loss
Vision loss
Dementia

Transmission

Syphilis is passed between partners through contact with a syphilis lesion (sore or rash) in the genitals or mouth, or through vertical transmission (mother to child transmission) during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. Syphilis is most infectious during the primary and secondary stages.

Syphilis is most commonly passed through unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sexual contact. Although rare, syphilis can also be passed through sharing of sex toys, wet kissing, or sharing substance use equipment.

If a pregnant person is infected with syphilis (either before or during pregnancy) and is not successfully treated, the infection can be passed to the baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. This is called congenital syphilis. For more information on congenital syphilis, including information about treatment for pregnant people with syphilis, click here.

Having syphilis increases the risk of becoming infected with and passing on HIV. For more information about HIV, click here.

Testing

Testing for syphilis requires a blood sample or swab of the infected area. Testing is free and confidential. Syphilis is a reportable infection, meaning that it must be reported to public health whenever an infection is confirmed to help prevent spread of the infection. Information about the infected person remains strictly confidential (i.e., private; only health professionals have access to it, and they cannot share this information with the public). Health professionals will work with the person to contact current and past sexual partner(s) so they can get tested and treated if needed.

All pregnant people should be tested for syphilis (along with other STBBIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV) during their first prenatal visit. Repeat testing may be important for some pregnant people. Pregnant people should discuss their need for repeat testing with their healthcare providers.

For more information about syphilis and community resources in Saskatchewan, visit www.talksyphilis.ca.

To find a testing site near you, download the Keep It Safe Saskatchewan (KIS-SK) smart phone app: www.skprevention.ca/kis-sk.

Treatment

Syphilis is curable with an injection of antibiotics (a special form of penicillin). Syphilis can only be cured when all required antibiotic doses are given. This is usually one or three doses over three weeks. It is important to not engage in sexual activity until all doses of penicillin have been given.

If a pregnant person is diagnosed with syphilis, early treatment with antibiotics can help prevent passing syphilis to the baby. For more information on congenital syphilis, click here.

Prevention

A person successfully treated for syphilis can become reinfected. It is important to practice safer sex to reduce the risk of syphilis infection and reinfection. This includes:

reducing the number of sexual partners
correctly and always using condoms and dental dams during sexual activities
avoiding sexual contact with partners who have symptoms of syphilis (e.g., sores - often painless or hidden, swollen lymph nodes in groin or neck, rash, fever, sore throat, headache, lack of energy and appetite, patchy hair loss, difficulty seeing or hearing)
getting tested regularly for syphilis and other STBBIs (every 3 to 6 months for those who are sexually active)
talking to partner(s) about STBBI status and safer sex, and encouraging them to get tested

Resources

Posters

Let’s Talk About Syphilis
Poster, 2023

Syphilis is on the rise in Saskatchewan. This poster highlights the importance of testing and treatment for syphilis. It also promotes the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute’s website www.talksyphilis.ca,which outlines information about syphilis and congenital syphilis, symptoms, testing, and treatment. The website also provides information for healthcare providers.

> Add to cart
Show Details

Let’s Talk About Syphilis quantity

or
Download File
SKU: 7-905
Syphilis
Poster, 2019

Rates of syphilis have significantly increased in Saskatchewan in the past several years, with areas of the province issuing syphilis alerts and outbreak notices. Women of reproductive age are of particular concern because of the risk for congenital syphilis (syphilis passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or delivery). This poster highlights that syphilis can harm pregnancies and unborn babies, but it is curable. Therefore, it is important for pregnant women to be tested and treated if infected.

> Add to cart
Show Details

Syphilis quantity

or
Download File
SKU: 7-023

Information Cards

Let’s Talk About Syphilis
Information Card, 2023

Syphilis is on the rise in Saskatchewan. This information card highlights the importance of testing and treatment for syphilis, and outlines the stages and associated symptoms of syphilis. It also promotes the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute’s website www.talksyphilis.ca, which includes further information about syphilis and congenital syphilis, symptoms, testing, and treatment. The website also provides information for healthcare providers.

> Add to cart
Show Details

Let’s Talk About Syphilis quantity

or
Download File
SKU: 7-904
Syphilis Information Card – Mother
Information Card, 2021

Rates of syphilis have dramatically increased in Saskatchewan in recent years. Women of reproductive age are of particular concern because of the risk for congenital syphilis (syphilis passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or delivery). This information card highlights that syphilis can harm pregnancies and unborn babies, but it is preventable and curable. Therefore, it is important for pregnant women to be tested and treated if infected.

> Add to cart
Show Details

Syphilis Information Card - Mother quantity

or
Download File
SKU: 7-903

Reports

Congenital Syphilis Literature Review
Report, Updated 2026

Recognizing the importance of understanding syphilis in the context of pregnancy, the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute conducted a review of the literature in this area. The review covers findings and recommendations on congenital syphilis transmission, prevention, treatment, and aftercare, as well as information about short- and long-term outcomes of congenital syphilis.

> Read more
Show Details

Download File

SKU: 7-547

Links

Government of Saskatchewan - Syphilis
Information on syphilis in Saskatchewan.
Saskatoon Sexual Health - Understanding Syphilis & The Rise in Infections
Information on syphilis and congenital syphilis in Saskatchewan.
Public Health Agency of Canada - Syphilis
Information on syphilis in Canada.
Indigenous Services Canada - Syphilis in Indigenous Communities
Fact sheets to support syphilis awareness and share testing and treatment information.
CATIE - Strong Women, Strong Communities
Poster series to support syphilis awareness among Indigenous women.
CATIE - Syphilis: What You Need to Know
Booklet on syphilis in Canada.
CATIE - Syphilis
Fact sheet on syphilis in Canada including prevention strategies.
Let’s Talk About Syphilis
Information on syphilis, testing, treatment, and community resources in Saskatchewan.
Keep It Safe Saskatchewan (KIS-SK)
Smart phone app with information on sexually transmitted infections, contraceptives, and testing sites in Saskatchewan.

Information for Healthcare Providers

Clinical Resources

Syphilis - Public Health
Saskatchewan Health Authority
Syphilis, Communicable Disease Control Manual
Government of Saskatchewan
Decision Making Algorithm for Syphilis for Primary Care Providers
Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority
Canadian STBBI Guidelines (Apple App Store or Google Play)
Public Health Agency of Canada
Let’s Talk About Syphilis
Public Health Agency of Canada

Additional Resources

Syphilis
Saskatchewan Ministry of Health
Diagnosis and Management of Congenital Syphilis - Avoiding Missed Opportunities
The Canadian Paediatric Society
Congenital Syphilis
National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases
Let’s Talk About Syphilis
Public Health Agency of Canada
Responding to Syphilis in Canada
Public Health Agency of Canada
Syphilis
CATIE

Webinars

Syphilis Foundations
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute & CATIE
Syphilis in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute
Syphilis in Saskatchewan: Impacts and Opportunities in Indigenous Communities
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute
Syphilis in Canada: Where We Are, How We Got Here, and What We Can Do About It
CATIE
HIV and Syphilis in the Prairies: Intersecting Epidemics
CATIE

Scheduled This Month

Upcoming Webinars/Trainings

Recorded Webinars

We Provide

Videos

Syphilis

Symptoms

Transmission

Testing

Treatment

Prevention

Resources

Let’s Talk About Syphilis

Syphilis

Let’s Talk About Syphilis

Syphilis Information Card – Mother

Congenital Syphilis Literature Review

Information for Healthcare Providers

Syphilis

Symptoms

Transmission

Testing

Treatment

Prevention

Resources

Let’s Talk About Syphilis

Syphilis

Let’s Talk About Syphilis

Syphilis Information Card – Mother

Congenital Syphilis Literature Review

Information for Healthcare Providers