The danger of contracting syphilis is greatly increased, warn European specialists. In England alone, the number of people infected with the dangerous infection has reached its highest levels since 1949, and between 2012 and 2017 the number of people infected has doubled. Syphilis is a bacterial infection caught during sexual contact with a person who is sick with syphilis or is a carrier of its pathogenic agent – Treponema pallidum. Again, over 420,000 STD diagnoses were made in England alone in 2016. Heterosexual couples between the ages of 15-24 were the most affected. Dr. Michael Brady, a sexual health specialist, says that syphilis is an easily treatable disease these days, requiring only a few courses of antibiotics, which are relatively inexpensive. However, if prompt action is not taken, both men and women can be seriously affected, and some of the disabilities caused by the disease can last a lifetime. NEWS_MORE_BOX Unacceptably high rates of sexually transmitted diseases, antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhea and the weakening of antibiotic power create the need for much better sex education among younger generations, Dr. Brady added. Every sexually active person should be familiar with the primary symptoms of syphilis – the formation of a coin-sized papule (nodule) on or around the genitals. The formation is moist, red and especially contagious to other people. It soon transforms into a round, painless ulcer with firm, raised edges, a smooth bottom, and a rusty-red color. If no measures are taken against the disease, within 2-3 months it enters its next stage of development, which can leave permanent damage to the body. When establishing such a formation around the genitals, it is necessary to quickly seek medical help.