MYTH Syphilis only affects men. Find testing near you: gettested.cdc.gov FACT Syphilis quadrupled among lowa women from 2019 to 2022. Public Health IOWA HHS Syphilis is a sexually transmissible infection (STI) that may have no symptoms. If left untreated, it will stay in your body, and it can cause serious, long-term health problems. Thankfully, it's easy to test, treat and cure! If you're sexually active, make sure that getting tested for syphilis is part of your regular health routine. MYTH Syphilis only affects men . Find testing near you : gettested.cdc.gov FACT Syphilis quadrupled among lowa women from 2019 to 2022 . Public Health IOWA HHS Syphilis is a sexually transmissible infection ( STI ) that may have no symptoms . If left untreated , it will stay in your body , and it can cause serious , long - term health problems . Thankfully , it's easy to test , treat and cure ! If you're sexually active , make sure that getting tested for syphilis is part of your regular health routine .