WARNING: The Embarrassing Bodies website contains images of an explicit medical nature and nudity in a medical context.

Embarrassing Bodies , 7:00pm Sunday 21st March 2010 on Channel 4. Catch up for free »

Conditions

Syphilis

Secondary Syphilis sores

When syphilis (once known as ‘the pox’) was first recorded in Europe in 1495, it was said that “its pustules often covered the body from the head to the knees, caused flesh to fall from people’s faces, and led to death within a few months.” This language might sound overly dramatic and darkly medieval, but syphilis is still, to this day, a nasty and potentially fatal sexually transmitted bacterial infection best avoided. The infection is typically passed through sexual contact, but can also be passed on by intravenous drug use, blood transfusions, or from an infected mother to her unborn child (known as congenital syphilis). In the UK, syphilis is relatively uncommon. However, in recent years the numbers of cases diagnosed in men and women has increased (1,607% from 1997 to 2006). Treatment usually involves a two-week course of penicillin injections or, in some cases, antibiotic tablets or capsules. But preventative treatment is probably best. Yeah, you guessed it…wear a condom.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments and Questions

The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

The other day i noticed i had spots forming around my pubic area and now when i squeeze some of them puss comes out im not sure if its syphilis or not but its my first guess ive shaved the pubic hair off yet more spots have formed do you know what this could be :(?





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.


Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

hi i hav got a couple of small spots on my penis and when squeezed a puss like thing comes out just liike the ones you get on your facee, funny thing is i have never had intercourse and only kissed a girl, any expert advice please.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.


Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

am 19 i had syphilis nearly 4 years ago! i've recently found a sore its lik a big spot on my vigina could the spyhilis be back?





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

i caught syphilis off of my partner and i had no symptons what so ever neither did he. i dont think people are made aware of how dangerous it really is. im pregnant and only found out i had it because of my pregnancy. becasue of my partners cheating he put mine and my unborn childs health at risk. i had to take tablets then had to have penacilin injections in my bum cheeks, they are very painfull. now i have to go to the hospital every month for a blood test untill my baby is born and after he is born i have to go every 3 months. more people should be aware of the risks involved with this sti. its not as simple to treat and treatment is painfull. more information should be given about this disease as it is extremly dangerous.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

There is a fishy smell from my foreskin. If i wash the smell is back in a very short time. What could it be





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

hello i would like some advice for the past couple of months i have had red itchy spots around my pubic region that have no puss in them and when i itch it just seems to take a small amount of skin off and somtimes bleed a little bit. Have you any idea what theses symptoms could be ? Thanks.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

hi i had a red mark on the head on my penis it didnt hurt or itch or anything i went to the gum clinic and they gave me some daktacort and it went away, 6 months later its come back ive bought the daktacort from the chemist which is in a different packet and it seems to work a lil bit but only temporarily clears it, i really dont wanna go back to the gum clinic. is there an ything i can do?





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Hey I notices today that I have three little red dots on the end of my penis they don't hurt or itch, they look like there under the skin and yesterday when I went to urinate it hurt for around 2-3 seconds then it was fine. About 3 months ago I had an unprotected 1 night stand. I don't know if this is conected at all. I've been looking around and alot of people have the same problem, most people have said it due to alot of masturbating. I have been masturbating alot recently since me and my girlfriend broke up 2 weeks ago. Do you think this is simply because of the masturbating or could It be an STD?





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Hi, im 15 and had unprotected sex with 2 girls. Akinmfter a few days of having unprotected sex i marstubated and found about ten small red spots on the end of my penis (bellend). I dont know what to do. Should i see a doctor? Could it be an std? Thanks





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

hii i have 9 red spots under my bel but i did not have unprotected sex i just masterbate alot

hi im 20 yrs old, and sometimes my urine turnes into a milk like substance. its mainly when i urinate slowely, and when i first start to urinate and as im about to stop urinating. have you got any idea what it could be ?





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.



Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.



Please don't swear or be rude in your questions, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting questions. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines


Important Notice

The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.


If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here


More Information

  1. Doctor Responses: Chlamydia

    In Videos - Dr Christian answers your most frequently asked questions about Chl…

  2. Consultation: Ear Infection

    In Videos - A patient with an ear infection is diagnosed by Dr Jessen

  3. Bodies Behaving Badly

    In Episodes - Episode 1 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies examines conditions includ…

  4. Quick Health Advice: Penis Spots

    In Videos - Dr Christian discusses how to check for penile spots and what warni…

  5. Teens Below the Belt

    In Episodes - Episode 4 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies tackles conditions includi…

  6. Boys, Boys, Boys

    In Episodes - Episode 3 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies takes a closer look at bin…

  7. Consultation: Second Adult Circumcision

    In Videos - Dr Jessen examines a patient in need of a new circumcision

  8. Dr James Russell

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr James Russell.

  9. Dr Priya Manickavasagar

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr Priya.

  10. Doctor Responses: Vaginal Discharge

    In Videos - Dr Pixie answers your most frequently asked questions about vaginal…

  11. Consultation: Soreness on the Penis

    In Videos - A patient is examined for soreness around his penis

  12. Episode 3 - Rural

    In Episodes - This week's episode includes a woman leaving pieces of skin everywh…

  13. Dr Christian Jessen

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr Christian

  14. Dr Pixie McKenna

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr Pixie.

  15. Dr Dawn Harper

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr Dawn.


More Information

Content supplied by NHS Choices

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is typically passed through sexual contact. However, it can be passed on by intravenous drug use (injecting drugs directly into the vein), blood transfusions and from an infected mother to her unborn child. The latter is known as congenital syphilis. Read More »

Be on the Show

Have you been inspired by the patients in the current series to seek help for your problem? Apply to be on the show here >