Syphilis is on the rise in the South West, prompting another wave of sexual health advice from medical officials.

With cases of the sexual disease up at a higher rate for the region than the UK average, Public Health England is highlighting the dangers of the disease, especially if left untreated.

“Treatment of syphilis is highly effective and if you are concerned you have picked up an infection through sex get in touch with your local sexual health clinic for further advice and treatment as soon possible," said Thara Raj, a consultant in health protection for Public Health England South West.

“If syphilis is left untreated it could spread to the brain or other parts of the body and cause serious, long-term problems."

Latest figures in PHE’s annual report into STIs showed that diagnoses of cases of syphilis increased by 20% between 2016 and 2017.

Public Health England is issuing specific public health advice to residents in the South West following a 59 percent increase in Syphilis cases.

Last year there were 274 cases compared to 172 for 2016, a 59% increase.

The symptoms of syphilis are not always obvious and may eventually disappear, but you will usually remain infected unless you get treated. Some people with syphilis have no symptoms.

Symptoms can include:

• Small, painless sores or ulcers that typically appear on the penis, vagina, or around the anus, but can occur in other places such as the mouth

• A blotchy red rash that often affects the palms of the hands or soles of the feet

• Small skin growths (similar to genital warts) that may develop on the vulva in women or around the anus in both men and women

• White patches in the mouth

• Tiredness, headaches, joint pains, a high temperature (fever), and swollen glands in your neck, groin or armpits

Local sexual health Consultant Peter Greenhouse, spokesperson for the British Association for Sexual Health & HIV (BASHH) said: "We know that historically, the majority of Syphilis has affected men who have sex with men (MSM) but recently we are seeing a spill over into the heterosexual population.

“This is happening sporadically in the South West at present but we want to prevent the problem getting bigger.

“We want to reach out to men in long-term heterosexual relationships who’ve recently started having sexual contact with other men.

“Our sexual health clinics offer testing, advice and sympathetic support for men - and their partners - in this especially sensitive position."

PHE is also warning against the impact of not getting treatment for STIs more generally due to the major health issues that can result, including; pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, swollen or painful testicles, reactive arthritis and in pregnant women STIs can lead to higher risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.

Thara continued: “It’s always best to use a condom with new partners and remember that a condom is just as important for oral sex.

“If changing partners frequently regular testing for STIs is also important."

Further information on syphilis is available on NHS Choices: nhs.uk/conditions/syphilis/

You can find your nearest sexual health service by visiting: nhs.uk/service-search/sexual-health-information-and-support/locationsearch/734