Syphilis cases 'on the increase'

A doctor is warning that cases of syphilis are rising in Nottinghamshire.

The sexually transmitted infection was almost eradicated in the UK but has re-emerged and can prove fatal if treatment is not sought.

Dr Immy Ahmed, from Nottingham City Hospital, said staff expected to see around 100 syphilis cases this year, as opposed to none at all four years ago.

He said it was important that anyone who believed they might have the disease got themselves checked out.

Dr Ahmed said: "One of the features about syphilis is that it does not cause pain to people who suffer from it.

"And if one doesn't seek health care when the rash appears or in the stage before that when a sore appears then it will heal spontaneously and you can have the false impression that the problem's gone away when it hasn't really."