What is syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that doesn’t always show signs or symptoms. Those who are pregnant can pass the infection to their baby without knowing it. If untreated, syphilis can cause major complications and even be deadly, for both adults and babies. But, with testing and immediate treatment, we can cure it – at little or no cost to you.
How is syphilis transmitted?
Syphilis is acquired by having sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of a person who has it. Syphilis can also spread from a pregnant person with untreated syphilis to their baby. This is called congenital syphilis.
Is it possible to get syphilis more than once?
Yes, it is possible to acquire syphilis again. Treating a syphilis infection does not prevent you from getting another infection, including more than once during a pregnancy. That is why it’s important for your partner to be treated quickly as well.
What are the symptoms of syphilis?
Syphilis develops in stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary). Each stage can have different signs and symptoms. Symptoms can appear 10 to 90 days after a person acquires syphilis, but usually within three to four weeks. Untreated syphilis can lead to more dangerous symptoms decades later.
During the first (primary) stage of syphilis, you may notice a single sore or multiple sores. The sore is the location where syphilis entered your body. These sores usually occur in, on, or around the:
- Penis
- Vagina
- Anus
- Rectum
- Lips or in the mouth
Sores are usually (but not always) firm, round, and painless. Because the sore is painless, you may not notice it. The sore usually lasts 3 to 6 weeks and heals regardless of whether you receive treatment. Even after the sore goes away, you must still receive treatment. This will stop your infection from moving to the secondary stage.
During the secondary stage, you may have skin rashes and/or sores in your mouth, vagina, or anus. This stage usually starts with a rash on one or more areas of your body. The rash can show up when your primary sore is healing or several weeks after the sore has healed. The rash can be on the palms of your hands and/or the bottoms of your feet and look:
- Rough
- Red
- Reddish-brown
The rash usually won’t itch, and it is sometimes so faint that you won’t notice it. Other symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Swollen lymph glands
- Sore throat
- Patchy hair loss
- Headaches
- Weight loss
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
Symptoms from this stage will go away whether or not you receive treatment. Without the right treatment, the infection will move to the latent and possibly tertiary stages of syphilis.
The latent stage of syphilis is when there are no visible signs or symptoms. Without treatment, you can continue to have syphilis in your body for years.
Without treatment, syphilis can spread to the brain and nervous system (neurosyphilis), eyes (ocular syphilis), or ears (otosyphilis). This can happen during any of the stages described above.
Signs and symptoms of neurosyphilis can include:
- Severe headache
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of balance or feeling in hands and feet
- Changes to your mental state (trouble focusing, confusion, personality change) and/or dementia (problems with memory, thinking, and/or decision making)
Signs and symptoms of ocular syphilis can include:
- Eye pain and/or redness
- Changes in your vision or even blindness
Signs and symptoms of otosyphilis may include:
- Hearing loss
- Ringing, buzzing, roaring, or hissing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Dizziness or vertigo (feeling like you or your surroundings are moving or spinning)
Like the sore, the symptoms may go away without treatment, but the person still has syphilis. If untreated, the disease can cause health problems like arthritis, heart disease, mental illness, blindness, and even death.
Is syphilis curable?
Treatment can cure syphilis. It is important to get treated as soon as you get diagnosed.
Those who are pregnant and have a syphilis diagnosis should seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent serious complications to their baby. Long-acting benzathine penicillin G therapy must be used to treat syphilis during pregnancy to prevent syphilis transmission to the baby. This therapy is extremely effective in preventing congenital syphilis, with a success rate of up to 98%. People who are allergic to penicillin should see a specialist for desensitization.