Syphilis??

[TapasGirl]

My dad is elderly and in hospital. they have ran some blood tests and it appears he has syphilis which he has probably had for years. The hospital has recommended that his children should also have tests as it could have been passed to us by my mum (who is no longer with us). Don't want to go to GP as know nurses personally at the practice (close community) and not keen on an STI clinic. Does anyone know if private hospitals offer this service and whether I just call them up.
This is a big shock and am really worried for my own children. Can anyone offer any advice please.

I really would recommend an STI clinic, they aren't scary places and the best place to deal with this time of thing... I got for a bits check up every few years and they really aren't that bad.

I'm so sorry this is happening to you :(

Or could the hospital your dads at not offer you a screen?

STI clinics are fine. Everyone is there for similar reasons, the staff have seen it all, they are also staffed by specialists who really know their stuff. I suspect you would get more appropriate treatment more quickly down this route. Near me you can just walk in and some results are available in 48 hours.

2nd gamerchick's recommendation of a sexual health clinic. Syphilis is very easily treated, iirc, so try not to worry too much.

So sorry you're dealing with this :(

Some hospitals run GUM clinics, how would you feel about going to one of those rather than a stand alone clinic? Or go and see your GP?

NHS screens for syphilis in pregnancy, how old are your DC?

I'm so sorry too. What a shock for you.

With my last two children there was STI screening as standard at 12 weeks (2006, 2011) so if you didn't opt out do you think you could have been screened already?

Have you had children Op? I'm pretty sure the blood tests at your booking appointments screen for syphilis.

Ah, cross posted

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001344.htm Congenital syphyllis. Please don't worry, assuming you and your dc are apparently healthy, you probably are disease-free. And I agree with previous posters, STI unit is the way to go.

Like others have said, if you have children your ante natal blood tests at booking in will have included syphilis.

If you don't want to go to your local gp ring another practice and ask if they will do the tests for you? Or speak in confidence to one of the Gp's at your surgery.

That's a point, I didn't know with my last kid (2007) they routinely tested until she gave me my negative HIV result. The other 2 I don't think they bothered telling you.

Thank you so much for your replies. Had DS1 in 1998 - do you think I could have been tested, or is that too long ago?

I had my dc in 1987 and 1990, pretty sure I was tested (inc for HIV, quite controversial in '86),

You will have been tested, if you has Ds1 in UK then.

Thank you so much for your replies. Had DS1 in 1998 - do you think I could have been tested, or is that too long ago?

This paper suggests there was screening in '98 OP.

googling for something definitive but this implies HIV was 1999 onwards - i don't know whether other STI's were screened prior to this point

Yes, routine at our hospital then ( midwife). However, just get a quick blood test done at the clinic or ask your GP for a form because until you do you will be worried. It will be negative.

HIV screening came later because until that point there was no treatment available for HIV.

Testing in antenatal clinics for syphillis began in the 1950s (probably a post war initiative once penicillin supply adequate). Also as the NHS was founded then, it marked the first time antenatal care was available to all women.

meditrina know the nhs has it's problems but that is pretty cool.

As an aside, I was tested for HIV when pregnant in 1986, because I was in Edinburgh, then "AIDS capital of Europe". It was quite controversial back then because insurance companies were refusing life insurance if you even tested for HIV, on the grounds that if you were worried you might be +ve you must be living a dodgy lifestyle. Insurance companies later changed their stance.

I got my "Tombstone" leaflet (AIDS, don't die of ignorance) in the same mail delivery as a bunch of "Congratulations on the birth of ds1" cards, very cheerful.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00m7163

There was a really, really good and eye opening episode of 'Who do you think you are' with some ancestors of Martin Freeman, who suffered congenital syphilis, which was very interesting. I knew it could be passed on, but had no idea of the effects, that people survived and were blind, and that it could be passed down to their children, but progressively had less effect (the first children died). Unfortunately, it is not available on I-player now, but it is well worth a look if you get the chance. The effect antibiotics have had on people's lives is truly amazing.

Otherwise, I would go to the STD clinic - they would probably be less embarrassing than a private route because it is so normal. Also, testing for syphilis and gonorrhoea have been standard for antenatal since the year dot, way before HIV came on the scene because of the risk to the baby. So it should be ok.

Funnily enough syphilis did not start life, as it were, as an STD. It mutated into one as clearly that route worked better than its original one.

Thanks for all your replies, very useful.
I have just called my GP who had never heard of parents passing to their children however she has given me the local STD clinic number, who she said to phone tomorrow and they would be able to advise. She also said that screening for Syphilis is not a standard ante natal procedure.