Syphillis

Syphilis is caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum and is transmitted through sexual contact. It can be hard to diagnose, but without treatment, it can cause serious damage to multiple body systems over time. One can have it without showing any symptoms for years. However, the earlier syphilis is discovered, the better. Syphilis that remains untreated for a long time can cause major damage to important organs, such as the heart and the brain.

How can you get syphilis?

Syphilis is primarily transmitted sexually through direct contact with syphilitic sores. That means you can contract it through oral, anal, or vaginal sex, or direct genital-to-genital contact. Babies can contract syphilis if their mother has an untreated infection. This is called congenital syphilis. You cannot contract syphilis by: sharing a toilet, wearing another person’s clothing, using another person’s eating utensils. Syphilis does not develop from other sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea.

However, people with risky sexual behaviours can contract syphilis along with other infections. The following groups of people have an increased risk of contracting syphilis:

• People who have sex without a barrier method, like a condom, with multiple partners
• Men who have sex with men
• People who have HIV
• People who have partners with syphilis

What are the stages of Syphilis Infection?

The four stages of syphilis are primary, secondary, latent and tertiary with the first two stages being the most infectious. The primary stage of syphilis occurs about 3 to 4 weeks after a person contracts the bacteria. It begins with a small, round sore called a chancre. A chancre is painless, but it’s highly infectious. This sore may appear wherever the bacteria entered the body, such as on or inside the mouth, genitals, or rectum.

Skin rashes and a sore throat may develop during the second stage of syphilis. The rash won’t itch and is usually found on the palms and soles, but it may occur anywhere on the body. Tertiary syphilis can be life-threatening. Some other potential outcomes of tertiary syphilis include: blindness, loss of hearing, mental health conditions, neurosyphilis and memory loss.

Can syphilis be cured?

Penicillin is one of the most widely used antibiotics and is usually effective in treating syphilis; primary and secondary. During treatment, make sure to avoid sexual contact until all sores on your body are healed and your doctor tells you it’s safe to resume sex. If you’re sexually active, your partner should be treated as well. Don’t resume sexual activity until you and your partner have completed treatment. The best way to prevent syphilis is to practice safe sex. Use condoms during any type of sexual contact.