In today’s world, people are more open than ever when talking about love and relationships. Yet, there’s still one topic many avoid — syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that has quietly made a comeback among young people. Though this disease has been around for centuries and can be completely cured with antibiotics, if left untreated, it can damage the heart, brain, eyes, and even become fatal.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 7.1 million new cases of syphilis were reported worldwide in 2020. In Thailand, the situation is no less concerning — in 2023 alone, there were 1,223 reported cases of syphilis among youths aged 15–29 in Bangkok. Even more worrying, only 43% of young people reported using condoms every time they had sex, while over 24% admitted they never used them at all.
Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which spreads through direct contact with a sore or rash from an infected person — most commonly during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. These sores often appear in places that are hard to see, such as the mouth, anus, or genital area, and many people may not even realize they’re infected. In rare cases, the infection can spread through open cuts that come into contact with an infected sore, even without sexual activity.
What’s more alarming is that the infection can be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy. If an expectant mother has syphilis and doesn’t know it, the baby can be infected, leading to birth defects, premature delivery, or even stillbirth in severe cases.
Once the bacteria enter the body, syphilis progresses in stages.
Primary stage: A small, painless sore (called a chancre) appears — often unnoticed — and heals on its own within a few weeks.
Secondary stage: The infection causes rashes on the body, palms, or soles, along with fever and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms may also disappear without treatment.
Latent stage: The infection becomes “silent,” with no symptoms, but the bacteria remain in the body.
Tertiary stage: Without treatment, syphilis can attack vital organs like the heart, brain, and nervous system, leading to paralysis, blindness, or even death.
Because syphilis can hide in the body for years without symptoms, regular health checkups are crucial — especially if you have unprotected sex, unusual sores or rashes, or high-risk sexual behavior. A simple blood test can easily detect the infection, and if positive, doctors can recommend the right treatment. In some cases, a spinal fluid test may be needed if there’s concern that the infection has affected the nervous system.
The good news is, syphilis is completely curable!
The standard treatment is an antibiotic injection, usually penicillin, which is most effective when given early. However, delaying treatment increases the risk of serious complications.
Prevention, thankfully, isn’t complicated — it starts with consistent and correct condom use during every type of sexual activity. While condoms may not offer 100% protection (since sores can appear in uncovered areas), they greatly reduce the risk. To maximize effectiveness, choose the right condom size, check the expiration date, store them in a cool place, and use water-based lubricants instead of oil-based products that can damage the condom.
If you’re worried, embarrassed, or don’t want others to know, you can visit a “Anonymous Clinic” (คลินิกนิรนาม) — available in many public hospitals and health centers — for confidential STI testing. You can also call Thailand’s Department of Disease Control Hotline at 1422 for free advice and support.
Because safe sex isn’t just about protection — it’s about awareness, responsibility, and care for both yourself and the person you love.
Syphilis doesn’t discriminate by gender, status, or orientation — but with protection, knowledge, and regular checkups, love can be safe, healthy, and worry-free.
