Syphilis

Syphilis: What You Need to Know

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. It’s estimated that 12 million new cases of syphilis occur each year worldwide. Syphilis can cause serious health problems, so it’s important to understand what it is and how it’s spread so that you can take the necessary steps to protect yourself.

Signs and Symptoms of Syphilis

Syphilis has a few stages, each with different signs and symptoms. They may include:

• In the first stage, you may develop a sore (called a chancre) on the area of your body that was exposed to the infection.
• In the second stage, several weeks after the sore appears, you may develop a skin rash, muscle aches, fever, or swollen lymph glands.
• In the third stage, any of these signs or symptoms may go away and may stay away for years. If the infection is not treated, it could eventually cause serious health complications.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Syphilis

If you think you may have syphilis, it’s important to get tested as soon as possible. Your doctor can perform a blood test to check for syphilis infection. Syphilis can be cured with the right treatment. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotic medications, which must be taken for the full amount of time your doctor prescribes.

Preventing the Spread of Syphilis

The best way to protect yourself from syphilis is to practice safer sex. This means using a condom every time you have sex, limiting your number of sexual partners, and getting tested for STIs regularly. Everyone should get tested for STIs at least once a year.

You should also tell any past or current sexual partners if you’ve been diagnosed with syphilis so that they can get tested and treated if necessary. If you’re diagnosed with syphilis, it’s important to abstain from all sexual activity, including oral sex, until you’ve finished all of your treatment and your doctor has given you the all-clear.