Approximately 750 syphilis diagnoses were made throughout Australia in the twelve months to March 2009 with most cases occurring among gay men.

However, this already very high number of infections may be considerably higher because syphilis doesn’t always present symptoms and so many cases go undiagnosed. Furthermore, research indicates that if the trend continues unchecked, syphilis notifications will increase substantially.

In response to the data, this new campaign targets gay men who are the most at risk of picking up or passing on syphilis: gay men who have more than 20 partners over 6 months and/or are engaged in sexual activities such as group sex, fisting, toy sharing. It encourages them to get tested for syphilis at least twice a year and to notify their partners if they have been infected. The campaign also provides information on symptoms, prevention and treatment.

Syphilis infections cause a range of specific health issues for gay men, especially gay men living with HIV. If left untreated, syphilis can cause irreversible damage to the nerves, bones, skin, eyes and brain. It affects the immune system as well and is also associated with an increased risk of HIV transmission.

In addition, syphilis is often asymptomatic which means people with the condition may not know that have it and may be inadvertently passing it on to other people. By getting tested at least twice a year, or by incorporating syphilis testing into regular HIV testing and monitoring, gay men can improve the health and wellbeing of themselves and our community.

If a person tests positive for syphilis, it’s really important they tell their recent sexual partners so that they can get tested too. This can be done directly, through a clinic, or via the Whytest website (www.whytest.org ) where there’s also lots of information about the prevention, testing and treatment of syphilis.

With a tagline of 'Syphilis is spreading – get tested now’, the campaign was developed in partnership with the STIs In Gay Men Action Group (STIGMA) and is closely aligned with the National Gay Men’s Syphilis Action Plan developed by the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research.

Download the posters

Syphilis is Spreading - Generic (PDF)

Group Sex, Fisting, Toy Sharing (PDF)

Been Fucking Heaps? (PDF)

Have Syphilis Can Fuck With Your Health (PDF)

Find out more

Web: New Campaign To Combat Rising Syphilis Rates Among Gay Men (Media Release)

More info

Contact: ACON Reception

Tel: (02) 9206 2000
Free Call: 1800 063 060
Hearing Impaired: (02) 9283 2088

Email: acon@acon.org.au

Web: www.whytest.org