Syphilis Outbreak

To respond to the outbreak, our team of young people and youth workers have created a variety of resources to help you understand what syphilis is and why it’s important to get tested for it.

We’ve created content using different mediums and with different communities in mind- so have a search through and find what works best for you!

The lowdown on syphilis

• Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection, or STI.
• It is easily transmitted by oral, vaginal or anal sex, as well as broken skin-to-skin contact and kissing.
• Symptoms vary by stage, but often take the form of painless sores around the mouth, anus or genitals, or a rash on the body, palms or soles of the feet.
• However, many people do not show these symptoms even though they are still infected. They could be unknowingly spreading the infection to others.
• This is why it is so important to get tested for syphilis whether you show symptoms or not. Whilst syphilis SOUNDS kinda scary, and it is scarily easily spread, it is also EASY to treat, especially if you catch it early!
• The outbreak is concerning, but if people get tested and treated, we can get it under control in WA! It’s up to all of us to stop the spread of syphilis.