SYPHILIS

Syphilis infection occurs in three distinct stages:

Early or primary syphilis. People with primary syphilis will develop one or more sores which is usually small and painless. It will show on the genitals or around the mouth between 10-90 days (average three weeks) after exposure. They heal and leave no scar within six weeks even without treatment.

The secondary stage. People with secondary syphilis experience a rosy “copper penny” rash typically on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. There may also have an appearance of different rashes on the other parts of the body and resembles the symptoms of other disease. This may one to three months and begins within six weeks to six months after exposure. Infected people may also experience moist warts in the groin, white patches on the inside of the mouth, swollen lymph glands, fever, and weight loss. Like primary syphilis, secondary syphilis will resolve without treatment.

Latent syphilis.  The infection lies dormant (inactive) and cause no symptoms.

Tertiary syphilis. Untreated infection may progress to a stage characterized by severe problems with the heart, brain, and nerves. This can result in paralysis, blindness, dementia, deafness, impotence, and even death.

DIAGNOSIS

Blood test is a quick and inexpensive way to diagnose if someone has syphilis.

TREATMENT

A single dose of penicillin is usually enough to destroy the infection for those who have been infected with syphilis for less than a year. For those allergic to penicillin, they can be given tetracycline, doxycycline or another antibiotic instead. More doses will be needed if you are in a later stage of disease.

People who are being treated for syphilis must abstain from sexual contact until the infection is completely gone. Sexual partners of people with syphilis should be tested and, if necessary, treated.