Syphilis is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. It can be spread through sexual activity, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex, and can stay in your body for a long time before causing symptoms. If left untreated, syphilis can lead to serious long-term health problems affecting various organs. In this article, we'll discuss the causes, symptoms, stages, complications, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of syphilis.
Syphilis is caused by direct contact with a syphilis sore on an infected person's body, usually during sexual activity. The bacteria can enter your body through cuts on your skin or mucous membranes. You can also get syphilis by sharing needles with an infected person while taking intravenous drugs. Babies can contract congenital syphilis if their mother has the infection during pregnancy or through breastfeeding.
You're at a higher risk of getting syphilis if you:
Have unprotected sex
Have multiple sex partners
Have HIV or another STD
Are assigned male at birth and have sex with other people assigned male at birth
Syphilis progresses through four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Each stage has its own set of symptoms:
The first symptom is a small, firm, round, and painless sore called a chancre. It appears where the bacteria entered your body and heals within 3-6 weeks without treatment, but the disease remains in your body.
A rash appears on your chest, stomach, pelvis, or back and may later spread to your hands and feet. The rash is usually non-itchy and can range in appearance from red to reddish-brown or may be barely noticeable. Other symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, headaches, patchy hair loss, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue.
If untreated, syphilis enters a hidden stage with no symptoms that can last for years. The disease is still present in your body, and for some people, it may progress to the final stage.
In this advanced stage, syphilis can cause severe problems with your heart, brain, blood vessels, liver, bones, joints, and nerves. You may experience paralysis, blindness, deafness, dementia, or impotence. Tertiary syphilis can be life-threatening.
Without treatment, syphilis can lead to various complications, including:
Neurosyphilis (infection of the brain and nervous system)
Ocular syphilis (infection of the eye)
Otosyphilis (infection of the ear)
Gummas (small bumps on skin, bones, or organs)
Cardiovascular problems
Increased risk of HIV
Pregnancy and childbirth complications (congenital syphilis)
Syphilis is diagnosed through a physical exam and tests, including blood tests, cerebrospinal fluid tests, and darkfield microscopy. The disease is curable with antibiotics, most commonly penicillin. The treatment duration depends on the stage of the infection. It's crucial to complete the prescribed medication and refrain from sexual contact until the infection is gone. Inform your current and past sexual partners so they can get tested and treated as well.
Learn more about syphilis diagnosis and treatment from reputable sources:
To reduce your risk of getting syphilis:
Use condoms correctly during sexual activity
Use dental dams for oral sex
Don't share sex toys
Be in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner
If you are diagnosed with syphilis, inform your sexual partners so they can get tested and treated. Your local health department can assist with partner notification and provide resources for treatment and counseling.
Syphilis is a serious STD that can cause long-term health problems if left untreated. By understanding the causes, symptoms, stages, complications, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of syphilis, you can take steps to protect yourself and your sexual partners. If you suspect you have been exposed to syphilis, contact your healthcare provider for testing and treatment.
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