Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). If left untreated, syphilis can cause brain, nerve, tissue damage, and death. Fortunately, syphilis can be treated with antibiotics.
Causes
Syphilis is caused by a specific bacteria. It is passed through direct contact with a syphilis lesion, which may happen through:
Vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact with an infected person
A pregnant woman who passes the infection to her unborn baby (called
congenital syphilis)
Symptoms will depend on what stage the syphilis is in. There are four main stages.
Primary (First) Stage within 10-90 days of exposure
A single lesion will usually appear. It will occur in the area where the infection was originally passed. Common sites include the genitals, rectum, tongue, inside of the mouth, or lips.
It will start as a raised and painless lesion. It will gradually break down to form an ulcer. The ulcer is painless at first with raised edges. They usually last for 3-6 weeks. The ulcers will heal on their own.
Without treatment, the infection may move to the secondary stage. This can happen even if the ulcers are no longer visible.
Secondary Stage Several Weeks to Months after the Original Lesion
This stage is marked by the appearance of a non-itchy rash. This rash may appear as rough, red, or reddish brown spots on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. It is also possible for different rashes to appear in other places on the body. These rashes may appear as:
Small blotches or scales
Moist warts in the groin area
Slimy white patches in the mouth
The rash may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms, such as:
Untreated secondary symptoms will disappear within a few weeks, but there may be repeated episodes during the next few years.
Latency (Resting) Stage May Last for Years
The infection is still present but there are no symptoms. It may or may not progress to the third stage. Blood tests for syphilis will be positive during this stage.
Tertiary (Third or Late) Stage
This stage may begin years after the initial infection. This stage has become very rare in developed countries. In this stage, the infection begins to damage:
Brain and nerves
Eyes
Heart and blood vessels
Liver
Bones and joints
Damage can be serious enough to cause death. Symptoms include the following:
Small bumps called gummas on the skin, bones, or internal organs
Blindness
Central nervous system damage, including weakness, numbness, trouble walking, difficulty with balance, memory problems, and loss of bladder control
Congenital Syphilis
Babies born with this infection can have problems, such as deafness, cataracts, and seizures. It can also cause premature births or stillbirths.
Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics. The type of antibiotic and length of treatment will depend on how long you have been infected.
If you have syphilis, avoid sexual relations until treatment is complete and the infection is cleared up. All sex partners should be notified. They will need to get treated as well.
Congenital syphilis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what. Updated October 24, 2011. Accessed May 16, 2013.
Latent syphilis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what. Updated September 6, 2012. Accessed May 16, 2013.
Syphilis. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niaid.n.... Updated December 17, 2010. Accessed May 16, 2013.
Syphilis-CDC Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/STDFact-Syphilis.htm. Updated February 11, 2013. Accessed May 16, 2013.
Syphilis (primary phase). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what. Updated October 16, 2012. Accessed May 16, 2013.
Syphilis (secondary phase). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what. Updated October 16, 2012. Accessed May 16, 2013.
Syphilis (tertiary phase). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what. Updated March 12, 2012. Accessed May 16, 2013.
Workowski KA, Berman S, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2010.
MMWR
2010;59(No. RR-12):1-110.
Last reviewed May 2013 by Brian Randall, MD Last Updated: 5/16//2013
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