Quick Answer: Syphilis is resurging, especially among MSM using hookup apps like Grindr. It spreads easily, often through oral sex, and early symptoms can go unnoticed. Testing is critical because it’s curable with antibiotics but dangerous if left untreated.
This Isn’t Just a Comeback, It’s a Surge
Back in 2000, syphilis cases in the U.S. were at historic lows. Today? The CDC reports a more than 400% increase in primary and secondary syphilis among MSM over the past decade. In some metro areas, gay and bisexual men make up over 80% of reported infections.
This isn’t a blame game. It’s a public health red flag. Increased visibility of queer sex, shrinking access to LGBTQ+-affirming care, and algorithm-fueled anonymity from apps like Grindr have all converged to create the perfect storm. You swipe, you chat, you meet. Maybe you hook up. And sometimes, without realizing it, you pass on an infection that hides in silence.
Syphilis doesn’t always announce itself. You might never see the sore. You might mistake the rash for razor burn. And because the early stages are easy to miss, many people go months, or even years, without knowing they have it.
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What a Syphilis Sore Really Looks Like (And Why You’ll Probably Miss It)
It starts with a bump. Or a small open sore. Often near the mouth, penis, anus, or vagina. It doesn’t hurt. It might not itch. In fact, most people don’t even notice it’s there. This is the hallmark of primary syphilis: the chancre.
And here's what makes syphilis so insidious,
- Risk: Skin-to-skin contact during oral, anal, or vaginal sex, even without ejaculation or penetration
- Symptom: Painless sore that heals on its own in 1–3 weeks
- Transmission: Highly contagious even if the sore is hidden inside the mouth, throat, or rectum
For example, Ty, 27, thought the tiny bump near his groin was just an ingrown hair:
“It wasn’t red. It didn’t hurt. I figured it would go away. Two months later, I had a rash on my palms and ulcers in my mouth, and that’s when my doctor finally tested me.”
Ty had entered the second stage of syphilis. And he wasn’t alone. According to peer-reviewed research, many MSM skip routine STD screening, especially when asymptomatic. That delay can have serious consequences.
How Apps Like Grindr Fit Into the Picture
Let’s be honest: Grindr didn’t invent casual sex. But it did reshape how quickly, anonymously, and frequently it happens. Geolocation apps reduce the time between desire and action, and often between partners, too. That speed, plus reduced communication about testing, has changed how infections spread.
A 2024 study in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases found that MSM who used hookup apps had nearly double the rate of syphilis compared to those who didn’t. That doesn’t mean Grindr is the villain, it means we need to rethink how we talk about sexual health in digital spaces.
Some public health advocates have even called on dating apps to embed more proactive health tools: reminders for testing, profile badges for recent tests, or direct links to home STD kits.
Because here’s the truth: You can’t rely on symptoms. You can’t trust appearance. And no one is legally required to disclose unless they know they’re infected, and most don’t.
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Can You Get Syphilis from Oral Sex? Yes, And That’s the Catch
This is where things get tricky. A lot of people assume syphilis requires penetrative sex. Not true. The CDC confirms that oral sex can transmit syphilis, even if there are no visible symptoms in either partner.
Here’s how it happens:
- Scenario: One partner has a small chancre (sore) in the mouth, on the tongue, or lips
- Transmission: Direct skin-to-skin contact spreads syphilis, even without semen or vaginal fluids
- Risk Multiplier: Open cuts, flossing injuries, or gum inflammation can all increase exposure
So yes, you can absolutely get syphilis from a blowjob, or give it, without ever knowing there was a sore. This is one reason why oral testing and throat swabs are becoming more essential for accurate screening, especially among gay and bi men.
But here’s the problem: most clinics don’t automatically swab the throat unless you ask. And many people don’t know to ask.
When Silence Is a Symptom Too
Silence is part of how syphilis survives. There’s the physical silence of symptoms that fade before they hurt. But there’s also the social silence, shame, fear, ignorance, that keeps people from talking, testing, or even thinking they could be at risk.
Jerome, 35, got tested only after his boyfriend was diagnosed during a routine checkup:
“I felt fine. I didn’t have a rash, no sore, nothing. But my doc said I had latent syphilis. I probably had it for months.”
Latent syphilis means the infection has moved past the symptom stage. You can still test positive. You can still pass it on. And over time, untreated syphilis can damage your brain, heart, and nerves.
This is why public health officials recommend routine STD screening every 3 to 6 months for sexually active MSM, especially those with new or multiple partners.
You Can’t Swipe Your Way Out of This: The Testing Gap
The more partners you have, the higher your risk. But it’s not just about numbers, it’s about knowledge, stigma, and access. Many people assume that if their partner “looks clean” or says they’re negative, that’s enough.
It’s not.
According to a 2023 NIH study, nearly 1 in 4 MSM had never been tested for syphilis, even among those who reported recent high-risk encounters.
Why?
- Fear: “What if I’m positive?”
- Judgment: “My doctor will think I’m reckless.”
- Access: “I don’t have time to go to a clinic.”
All real. All valid. But also, all solvable.
At-home STD testing has become a game-changer for people navigating hookup culture. You test privately, quickly, and often with the same accuracy as clinic-based tests. Take back control. You deserve answers without shame.
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Why Syphilis Isn’t Just a “Gay Disease”
Let’s clear this up: yes, syphilis rates are highest among MSM, but it is not exclusive to gay or bisexual men. In fact, heterosexual transmission, especially through oral sex, is on the rise, particularly among women of color and pregnant individuals.
Still, stigma remains thick in queer spaces. Grindr profiles often joke about “clean only” or “DDF” (drug and disease free), reinforcing the idea that STD testing is a judgment, not a health practice.
Here’s the truth: Testing is a sign of respect. Not weakness. Not promiscuity. Just honesty with yourself and others.
If you’ve ever thought, “But I didn’t feel sick,” or “I just gave head,” this article is for you. Syphilis doesn’t care who you are. It only needs a moment of contact, a missed checkup, a sore that came and went in silence.
Stages of Syphilis (And What Happens If You Ignore It)
Syphilis doesn’t stay still. It evolves. And the longer it’s untreated, the more damage it can do. Here’s a breakdown of how it progresses if left undiagnosed or ignored:
- Primary Stage: One or more painless sores (chancres) appear at the site of infection. Heals on its own in 1–3 weeks.
- Secondary Stage: Rash on palms, soles, or other areas. May include mouth ulcers, fever, sore throat, or patchy hair loss.
- Latent Stage: No symptoms, but the bacteria are still in your body. Can last years.
- Tertiary Stage: Occurs in 15–30% of untreated people. Can cause brain damage, blindness, heart disease, or death.
The good news? Syphilis is 100% curable with the right antibiotics, usually a single shot of penicillin if caught early. But timing matters. The longer you wait, the more aggressive the treatment needs to be.
Here’s what makes that urgent: many people assume they were tested during a routine STD panel. But not all panels include syphilis unless you specifically ask. Don’t assume. Confirm.
Grindr Isn’t the Enemy, But It’s Not a Clinic Either
This isn’t about canceling Grindr, Scruff, or any other hookup platform. It’s about building health systems around how people actually have sex in 2025. If you’re using apps, great. But make sure you’re also using condoms, talking about testing, and keeping your own results updated.
Consider adding test dates in your profile. Use reminders in your phone. Treat your sexual health like your dental health, routine, not reactive.
And if you’re not sure when you last got tested, that’s your sign. There’s no shame in checking. There’s power in knowing.
Take Back Control: How to Get Tested for Syphilis (Without Leaving Your House)
You don’t need a doctor’s referral. You don’t need to explain your sex life to a stranger. You don’t even need to leave home. Today’s at-home STD testing kits let you screen for syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, and more, all with clear instructions and lab-certified results.
If you’ve had unprotected sex, multiple partners, or oral encounters in the last few months, you’re a candidate for testing, no matter how “safe” things seemed.
Whether it’s a bump, a sore, or a gut feeling, you deserve clarity.
Don’t let fear delay you. Get the answers. Protect your partners. Protect yourself.
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FAQs
1. Can you get syphilis from kissing?
Yes, if your partner has a syphilitic sore (chancre) on or near the lips or mouth, transmission through kissing is possible, though less common than through oral sex.
2. What does a syphilis sore look like?
It's usually a single, firm, painless ulcer. It may appear on the genitals, mouth, or anus and often goes unnoticed because it doesn’t hurt and heals on its own.
3. Is syphilis curable?
Yes, syphilis is completely curable with antibiotics, typically a single injection of penicillin if caught early. Late-stage infections may require longer treatment.
4. Do dating apps like Grindr increase STD risk?
Not inherently, but the increased frequency of anonymous or rapid encounters can raise risk if regular testing and communication aren’t part of the routine.
5. Can I test for syphilis at home?
Yes. Many FDA-approved at-home kits allow you to test for syphilis and other STDs discreetly, using a small blood sample you collect yourself.
6. What are signs of syphilis in men?
Early signs include a painless sore, followed by rash, fever, and fatigue. Later stages can affect the brain, heart, and nerves if untreated.
7. How soon after exposure should I get tested?
You can test for syphilis as early as 3 weeks after exposure, but a follow-up test after 90 days is recommended to confirm results.
8. Can I get syphilis from oral sex?
Yes, syphilis is commonly transmitted through oral sex, even when there are no visible symptoms present on either partner.
9. Does syphilis always cause a rash?
Not always. Some people never develop the classic rash. Others may confuse it with eczema, razor burn, or another skin condition.
10. Why is syphilis rising again in 2025?
A mix of factors: less frequent testing, hookup culture via apps, stigma, and reduced public health funding, all creating gaps in prevention and awareness.
You Deserve Answers, Not Assumptions
The new syphilis wave isn’t about blame, it’s about awareness. Whether you’re swiping, exploring, or simply unsure, your health shouldn’t be a mystery. Silence, stigma, and outdated beliefs won’t protect you. But testing will. Take one step toward clarity today.
Sources
1. CDC STD Surveillance Report 2023
2. Barriers to Syphilis Testing Among MSM (PubMed)
