Nisha Pandey

Syphilis Among Australian Women Has Risen By 167% In The Last Decade: How It Can Affect Pregnancy & Newborns?

Newly released national sexual health data shows that <span>Australia</span> is seeing an alarming rise in STIs like <span>syphilis</span> and <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/gonorrhoea">gonorrhoea</a></span>. The data from Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney shows that diagnoses have increased by more than 50% over the past decade. 

In 2025, Australia recorded 5,986 syphilis diagnoses and 42,393 gonorrhoea diagnoses, with rates of both infections shooting up by more than 50% since 2016. 

Apart from the sharp rise in cases, one pattern that has drawn attention is the difference in the number of infections between men and women. Syphilis diagnoses among women increased 167% over the past decade, compared with a 39% increase among men. 

Health experts say the rise is especially alarming as syphilis, when left untreated, can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital syphilis and infant death. 

<h2>Signs Of Syphilis Can Vanish Without Actually Leaving The Body </h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/ferritin-face-can-pale-skin-signal-iron-deficiency-article-156173590" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ferritin Face: Can Pale Skin Signal Iron Deficiency?</a>

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/exclusive-with-leading-hiv-expert-whats-driving-rising-hiv-cases-among-young-people-and-how-to-prevent-it-article-156121437" data-type="tilCustomLink">Syphilis</a> is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and the infection unravels in stages. The first stage causes a painless sore, called a chancre, typically at the site where the bacteria entered the body. The sore can occur around the genitals, anus, rectum, lips or mouth and may disappear on its own within weeks. 

The disappearance of that sore could be misleading because when it heals, it does not mean that the infection has not necessarily gone away. 

Without treatment, syphilis can progress to a second stage, which comes with a rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, fatigue, and other symptoms. These symptoms can also eventually disappear. 

If left untreated, the infection can then enter its latent stage, when a person has no visible signs or symptoms. This is what makes syphilis particularly difficult to detect. 

During latent <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/you-will-be-surprised-to-know-the-most-contagious-std-in-the-world-signs-to-watch-article-151125494" data-type="tilCustomLink">syphilis stage</a>, the bacteria remain in the body even though the person may feel completely well. According to the <span>US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</span>, untreated syphilis can remain in the body for years.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Rising Syphilis Cases In Women</span> Women May Impact Pregnancy </h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/scientists-grow-human-brain-tissue-inside-mice-could-this-help-cerebral-palsy-epilepsy-autism-research-article-156171838" data-type="tilCustomLink">Scientists Grow Human Brain Tissue Inside Mice: Could This Help Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy &amp; Autism Research?</a>

The latest Australian data show men accounted for 78% of syphilis diagnoses in 2025, but the much faster increase among women is raising particular concern because an infected pregnant woman can pass the bacteria to her unborn baby. 

Dr Skye McGregor, an epidemiologist at the Kirby Institute said, “It’s really concerning because the rise among women has contributed to syphilis in pregnancy, which can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/oral-sex-is-the-leading-risk-for-throat-cancer-article-151067825" data-type="tilCustomLink">congenital syphilis </a> and infant deaths,” McGregor said. “These are really substantial impacts on infants, but also the community as a whole. Across that same 10-year reporting period, there were 113 congenital syphilis cases and, tragically, 40 of those infants died.” 

Australia recorded 14 cases of congenital syphilis in 2025. Over the past decade, there have been 113 reported congenital syphilis cases, with 40 resulting in infant deaths. 

The infection is preventable from reaching the baby when it is identified and treated during pregnancy. To curb the same, Australia has recently updated national guidelines to recommend at least three syphilis tests during pregnancy, reflecting concern about rising infections.

<h2>What Happens If Syphilis Is Left Untreated For Years?</h2>

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Not everyone with untreated syphilis develops latent-stage disease. But in some people, the infection can eventually damage multiple organs.

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/thailands-hiv-cases-cross-550000-in-2026-over-25000-among-1524s-article-156029147" data-type="tilCustomLink">Tertiary syphilis</a> can affect the heart and blood vessels, brain and nervous system, and several other organs. It can emerge 10 to 30 years after the original infection and can cause severe disability or death.

Syphilis can also affect the nervous system, eyes or ears at different stages of infection. <span>Neurosyphilis</span> can cause headaches, weakness, problems with movement, confusion or cognitive changes.

Ocular syphilis can cause vision problems and potentially permanent vision loss, while otosyphilis can cause hearing loss, tinnitus or dizziness.

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Newly released national sexual health data shows that Australia is seeing an alarming rise in STIs like syphilis and gonorrhoea. The data from Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney shows that diagnoses have increased by more than 50% over the past decade. In 2025, Australia recorded 5,986 syphilis diagnoses and 42,393 gonorrhoea diagnoses, with rates of both infections shooting up by more than 50% since 2016. Apart from the sharp rise in cases, one pattern that has drawn attention is the difference in the number of infections between men and women. Syphilis diagnoses among women increased 167% over the past decade, compared with a 39% increase among men. Health experts say the rise is especially alarming as syphilis, when left untreated, can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital syphilis and infant death. Signs Of Syphilis Can Vanish Without Actually Leaving The Body Also read: Ferritin Face: Can Pale Skin Signal Iron Deficiency?Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and the infection unravels in stages. The first stage causes a painless sore, called a chancre, typically at the site where the bacteria entered the body. The sore can occur around the genitals, anus, rectum, lips or mouth and may disappear on its own within weeks. The disappearance of that sore could be misleading because when it heals, it does not mean that the infection has not necessarily gone away. Without treatment, syphilis can progress to a second stage, which comes with a rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, fatigue, and other symptoms. These symptoms can also eventually disappear. If left untreated, the infection can then enter its latent stage, when a person has no visible signs or symptoms. This is what makes syphilis particularly difficult to detect. During latent syphilis stage, the bacteria remain in the body even though the person may feel completely well. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, untreated syphilis can remain in the body for years.Rising Syphilis Cases In Women Women May Impact Pregnancy Also read: Scientists Grow Human Brain Tissue Inside Mice: Could This Help Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy & Autism Research?The latest Australian data show men accounted for 78% of syphilis diagnoses in 2025, but the much faster increase among women is raising particular concern because an infected pregnant woman can pass the bacteria to her unborn baby. Dr Skye McGregor, an epidemiologist at the Kirby Institute said, “It’s really concerning because the rise among women has contributed to syphilis in pregnancy, which can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital syphilis  and infant deaths,” McGregor said. “These are really substantial impacts on infants, but also the community as a whole. Across that same 10-year reporting period, there were 113 congenital syphilis cases and, tragically, 40 of those infants died.” Australia recorded 14 cases of congenital syphilis in 2025. Over the past decade, there have been 113 reported congenital syphilis cases, with 40 resulting in infant deaths. The infection is preventable from reaching the baby when it is identified and treated during pregnancy. To curb the same, Australia has recently updated national guidelines to recommend at least three syphilis tests during pregnancy, reflecting concern about rising infections.What Happens If Syphilis Is Left Untreated For Years?                      Not everyone with untreated syphilis develops latent-stage disease. But in some people, the infection can eventually damage multiple organs.Tertiary syphilis can affect the heart and blood vessels, brain and nervous system, and several other organs. It can emerge 10 to 30 years after the original infection and can cause severe disability or death.Syphilis can also affect the nervous system, eyes or ears at different stages of infection. Neurosyphilis can cause headaches, weakness, problems with movement, confusion or cognitive changes.Ocular syphilis can cause vision problems and potentially permanent vision loss, while otosyphilis can cause hearing loss, tinnitus or dizziness.

syphilis among australian women has risen by 167% in the last decade: how it can affect pregnancy & newborns?

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Syphilis Among Australian Women Has Risen By 167% In The Last Decade: How It Can Affect Pregnancy & Newborns?

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