Organ damage means that tertiary syphilis can often lead to death. Treating syphilis before it reaches this stage is, therefore, critical. Neurosyphilis is a condition that develops when T. It often has links to latent and tertiary syphilis. However, it can occur at any time after the primary stage.
A person with neurosyphilis may be asymptomatic for a long time. Alternatively, symptoms might develop gradually. Symptoms include :. Congenital syphilis is severe and frequently life threatening. Adverse outcomes include early fetal or neonatal death, preterm birth or low birth weight, and infection in infants.
In , the World Health Organization WHO confirmed Cuba as the first country in the world to have entirely eradicated congenital syphilis. Learn how to recognize different STDs here. Anyone who is worried that they might have syphilis or another sexually transmitted infection STI should speak to a doctor as soon as possible, as prompt treatment can cure it. Early treatment with penicillin is important, as the disease can lead to life threatening consequences in the long term. At a later stage, syphilis remains curable.
However, a person may require a longer course of penicillin. If nerve or organ damage occurs during the later stages of syphilis, treatment will not repair it. The treatment strategy will depend on the symptoms and how long a person has harbored the bacteria. However, during the primary, secondary, or tertiary stage, people with syphilis will typically receive an intramuscular injection of penicillin G benzathine. Neurosyphilis requires intravenous IV penicillin every 4 hours for 2 weeks to remove the bacteria from the central nervous system.
Curing the infection will prevent further damage to the body, and safe sexual practices can resume. However, treatment cannot undo any damage that has already occurred. People with a penicillin allergy can sometimes use an alternative medication in the early stages. However, during pregnancy and in the tertiary stages, anyone with an allergy will undergo penicillin desensitization to allow for safe treatment.
Chills, fever, nausea, achy pain, and a headache may occur on the first day of treatment. Doctors refer to these symptoms as a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction.
It does not indicate that a person should stop treatment. People with syphilis must avoid sexual contact until they have completed all treatment and received blood test results confirming that the disease has resolved. It may take several months for blood tests to show that syphilis has reduced to an appropriate level. Low enough levels confirm adequate treatment.
If a person receives a diagnosis of syphilis, they must notify any sexual partners. Their partners should also undergo testing. Local services are available to notify sexual partners of their potential exposure to syphilis, enable testing and, if necessary, administer treatment.
The treatment you need depends on how long you've had syphilis and how far along in your pregnancy you are. Pregnant women who've had syphilis for less than 2 years are usually treated with an injection of penicillin into the buttocks if treated during the first or second trimester or 2 injections given a week apart if treated during the third trimester.
Pregnant women who've had syphilis for more than 2 years are usually treated with 3 penicillin injections into the buttocks given at weekly intervals. Page last reviewed: 07 February Next review due: 07 February Antibiotics for syphilis A short course of antibiotics can usually cure syphilis. The type of treatment you need depends on how long you've had syphilis.
Follow-up blood tests will be recommended once treatment finishes to check that it has worked. Side effects of treatment You may experience some side effects shortly after treatment.
Around 2 in every 5 people experience short-lived flu-like symptoms , such as: a high temperature fever headaches muscle and joint pain These symptoms usually only last 24 hours and can often be treated with paracetamol.
Avoiding sex during treatment Avoid any kind of sexual activity or close sexual contact with another person until at least 2 weeks after your treatment finishes. This includes vaginal, anal and oral sex, as well as close skin contact. Basic fact sheets are presented in plain language for individuals with general questions about sexually transmitted diseases.
The content here can be syndicated added to your web site. Print Version pdf icon. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause serious health problems if it is not treated. Syphilis is divided into stages primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. There are different signs and symptoms associated with each stage. You can get syphilis by direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
You can find sores on or around the penis, vagina, or anus, or in the rectum, on the lips, or in the mouth. Syphilis can spread from an infected mother to her unborn baby. Syphilis is divided into stages primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary , with different signs and symptoms associated with each stage. A person with primary syphilis generally has a sore or sores at the original site of infection. These sores usually occur on or around the genitals, around the anus or in the rectum, or in or around the mouth.
These sores are usually but not always firm, round, and painless. Symptoms of secondary syphilis include skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. The signs and symptoms of primary and secondary syphilis can be mild, and they might not be noticed.
During the latent stage , there are no signs or symptoms. Tertiary syphilis is associated with severe medical problems. A doctor can usually diagnose tertiary syphilis with the help of multiple tests. It can affect the heart, brain, and other organs of the body. If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting syphilis:. Any sexually active person can get syphilis through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Have an honest and open talk with your health care provider and ask whether you should be tested for syphilis or other STDs.
If you are pregnant and have syphilis, you can give the infection to your unborn baby. Having syphilis can lead to a low birth weight baby. It can also make it more likely you will deliver your baby too early or stillborn a baby born dead. To protect your baby, you should be tested for syphilis at least once during your pregnancy.
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