Syphilis
Syphilis is one of the most commonly reported sexually transmitted diseases. The signs and symptoms of syphilis are similar to many other infections and diseases, often allowing syphilis to go undetected.
It is spread during vaginal, anal, oral sex. It can also sometimes be spread by the touching of the genitals of someone with syphilis. You don't have to have sexual intercourse to get syphilis.
Symptoms
Syphilis has two stages. Some individuals may show no symptoms.
First Stage
- First stage symptoms often appear 1 to 12 weeks after contact.
- A painless sore or sores on the mouth or sex organs.
Second Stage
- Second stage symptoms appear 4 to 10 weeks after the initial infection.
- A skin rash anywhere on the body.
- Flu-like feelings.
Rash and flu-like symptoms may go away, but you will still have syphilis and should be treated for the infection as soon as possible.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Some healthcare professionals can diagnose syphilis by examining material from an infectious sore using a special microscope after a physical examination. Another option is a blood test to check for the syphilis antibodies is also an accurate and inexpensive way to determine if a person has syphilis.
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can be cured with antibiotics.
What happens if you go untreated?
If syphilis is not detected and treated in the early stages, serious problems can develop because of the damage caused by having the syphilis bacteria in the body for so many years. These may include:
- Heart disorders.
- Mental disorders.
- Blindness.
- Other problems associated with the nervous system.
- Death.
If syphilis is not treated, it can put others including unborn children at risk of being infected.