Syphilis

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a certain type of bacteria. It is often called the “great imitator” because the symptoms of syphilis can be confused with those of many other diseases, both sexually transmitted and non-sexually transmitted diseases.
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How do I know if I or a partner has syphilis?

Syphilis has three stages: The primary stage at the very beginning of infection; the secondary stage, which occurs if treatment is not started early in the infection; and the late stage. Each is described below.

Primary Stage: In this stage of syphilis there is usually the appearance of a single syphilis sore called a chancre (pronounced 'shanker’), but there may be multiple sores. The time between infection with syphilis and the start of the first symptoms averages 21 days, although it can be as long as 90 days. The sore is usually round, small, painless, and heals without treatment in about three to six weeks.

Secondary Stage: If someone infected with syphilis does not receive adequate treatment the infection progresses to the secondary stage, when skin rashes and lesions of the mucous membrane (for example, nasal passages, the mouth, the vagina) appear. Rashes associated with syphilis can appear as the chancre is healing or several weeks later after it is healed. However, rashes can also appear on other body parts and look like other types of rashes. Other symptoms of secondary stage syphilis can include fever, swollen glands, sore throat, headaches, patchy hair loss, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue.

Late Stage: The late stage of syphilis begins when the secondary symptoms disappear. The infection remains in the body, damaging internal organs such as the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints. Damage may be serious enough to cause death.
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How do women get syphilis and how is it diagnosed?

Women can become infected with syphilis during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Women are infected by coming into direct contact with a syphilis sore (called a 'chancre’). These sores appear mainly on the external genital area (for example, the area around and including the penis), the anus, or in the rectum. Sores can also occur on the lips and mouth. Women infected with syphilis who are pregnant can pass the infection to their developing fetus. Syphilis cannot be spread through contact with toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils.

Syphilis is diagnosed in a lab test either by examining material from a chancre under a microscope or through a blood test.
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What are the complications associated with untreated syphilis?

If a person does not get diagnosed or treated in the first stage, the disease moves to the second stage. The most obvious symptom in the second stage is a rash which may start when the chancre is healing or even weeks later. If syphilis progresses to the late stage there can be serious complications for many different organs in the body, and it can even result in death. Infection during pregnancy can increase risks of a stillbirth. Also, being infected with syphilis can greatly increase a person’s risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS from a sexual partner.
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What is the treatment for syphilis?

Despite the serious dangers syphilis can pose to a woman’s long term health, it is simple and easy to cure in its early stages. A single injection of an antibiotic (penicillin) will cure a woman who has had syphilis for less than a year. Additional doses are usually necessary for those who have had the infection longer. For women who are allergic to penicillin, there are other effective antibiotics. Treatment will kill the syphilis bacteria that are present and prevent further progression but it will NOT repair the damage already done. Because simple and effective treatment is available, women who engage in high risk behaviors on an ongoing basis should be tested regularly for syphilis. However, the best way to avoid syphilis and it’s health consequences is to reduce your risk by using protective measures (for example, condoms).
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