According to data shared by chemist4u<\/a>, there were around 364,750 STI diagnoses in the UK in 2024. <\/p>\n Most STI cases are usually Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea or Genital Herpes, ones which you’ll likely remember learning about in your secondary school sex education classes. <\/p>\n However, recent research conducted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) revealed that syphilis has made a resurgence in recent years, with current rates being the highest since the 1940s. <\/p>\n When most people think of syphilis, they’re likely to think of historical<\/a> figures such as gangster Al Capone, Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler and philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who were all rumoured to have either had or died from the disease. <\/p>\n Not even royalty were immune from the disease, as King Henry VIII was even rumoured to have had syphilis \u2013 although this was never definitively proven. <\/p>\n However, the disease is still very much around.<\/p>\n “Syphilis cases in England<\/a> are now at their highest level in decades, and the harm caused by late or missed diagnosis is entirely preventable,” Dr Katy Sinka, head of the STI section at UKHSA, said of the statistics (via Pulse<\/a>).<\/p>\n “This response plan sets out how UKHSA will work to reverse that trend by providing the data, evidence and health protection expertise needed to reduce transmission, prevent complications and move towards eliminating congenital syphilis.”<\/p>\n What is syphilis \u2013 and what are the symptoms? <\/p>\n Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum and is transmitted through unprotected sex with an infected person. <\/p>\n According to the NHS<\/a>, the first symptoms of syphilis are usually small, painless sores which can be difficult to notice. <\/p>\n As the disease progresses, patients will develop symptoms such as: <\/p>\n white or grey warty growths most commonly on your penis, vagina or around your anusa rash on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet that can sometimes spread all over your body \u2013 this is not usually itchywhite patches in your mouthflu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, headaches and tirednessswollen glandspatchy hair loss on the head, beard and eyebrows<\/p>\n It can take between a few weeks and a few months for the latter symptoms to develop. <\/p>\n The infection is treated through antibiotics, however, if left untreated in the system, it can lead to further complications, such as damage to the brain, heart and nerves. Structural collapse of the nasal bridge can also occur, and pregnant women can also pass on the disease to their children. <\/p>\n According to UKHSA, Dr Helen Fifer, the rise in syphilis rates is down to a combination of ambiguous initial symptoms and the public believing it’s a historical disease. <\/p>\n “Syphilis wouldn\u2019t be the top of your list when you\u2019re looking after a patient, especially if you\u2019re not thinking syphilis is around,” Fifer told iNews<\/a>.<\/p>\n When it comes to combatting rising syphilis rates, doctors are looking at offering an antibiotic to be taken after a person has unprotected sex, similar to the morning-after pill. <\/p>\n Known as doxyPEP (doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis), the pill would be taken ideally within 24 hours of having unprotected sex with a new partner. <\/p>\n![\"Syphilis](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS1pbWFnZXMuY29udGVudHN0YWNrLmNvbS92My9hc3NldHMvYmx0Y2Q3NGFjYzFkMGE5OWYzYS9ibHQyYjFiMTY0.webp\"\/)
Syphilis transmission is at its highest rate since the 1940s (Getty Stock Images)<\/p>\n![\"Despite](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS1pbWFnZXMuY29udGVudHN0YWNrLmNvbS92My9hc3NldHMvYmx0Y2Q3NGFjYzFkMGE5OWYzYS9ibHQzNjA1ZDlk.webp\"\/)
Despite being known as the ‘Victorian disease’ syphilis is still around (Getty Stock Images)<\/p>\n![\"UKHSA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS1pbWFnZXMuY29udGVudHN0YWNrLmNvbS92My9hc3NldHMvYmx0Y2Q3NGFjYzFkMGE5OWYzYS9ibHQzNmIwOGQy.webp\"\/)
UKHSA is currently looking at ways to combat the rise in cases, including preventative treatment and awareness (Getty Stock Images)Why are syphilis rates on the rise? <\/p>\n