Syphilis

Syphilis is called “the great imitator” because it has so many possible symptoms, many look like symptoms from other diseases. Syphilis also has 4 different stages, primary syphilis (first stage), secondary syphilis, latent syphilis and tertiary syphilis. Throughout these different stages there are different symptoms, or may be no symptoms.

What is syphilis and who should get tested?

Syphilis is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI), people at risk include;

Anyone who has unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal sex (no condoms or lubricant) should get tested for syphilis every 3-6 months.
Anyone that has had multiple and/or anonymous sex partners.
Anyone whose partners have tested positive for syphilis in the past and are still sexually active.
All pregnant females during their first doctor’s visit. For those who are in a high risk category (having multiple sex partners or have a history of substance abuse), they should be re-tested at 28 -32 weeks of pregnancy and then again at delivery.

Syphilis can be spread in many ways:

Syphilis is spread through direct contact with a syphilis sore (chancre), usually during anal, oral or vaginal sex.
Other ways include:
A pregnant individual with syphilis can spread syphilis to their unborn baby.
Kissing or other physical contact can spread syphilis if there are syphilis sores in the mouth or on the lips or area being touched.

What are the symptoms of syphilis?

There are many different symptoms of syphilis including:

A painless syphilis sore (primary stage or when first infected) which can be confused for an ingrown hair, zipper cut, or other seemingly harmless bump.
A non-itchy body rash can develop during the second stage of syphilis and can show up on the palms of a persons hands, on the soles of their feet, all over their body, or in just a few places.
Syphilis can also affect the eye and can lead to permanent blindness.
Individuals could also be infected with syphilis and have very mild symptoms or none at all.

It is important to get tested and treated. The earlier someone is diagnosed and starts treatment, the less likely they are to spread syphilis to their partners.

How is syphilis diagnosed?

A blood test is used to test for syphilis. Test results are usually received within 5-7 business days.

The Sexual Wellness Center also has a rapid test done with a finger poke blood sample, those results are available in 10-15 minutes. Individuals that test positive for the rapid test will have a blood test done to confirm results. Rapid testing is only for individuals that have not had Syphilis previously (or are unaware of an infection)

What is the treatment for syphilis?

Syphilis is easy to cure in its early stages. A single injection of penicillin (an antibiotic) will cure a person who has primary, secondary, or early latent syphilis. Additional doses are needed to treat someone who has a later stage of syphilis. When treated early and medication is taken correctly, syphilis can be cured!

Does syphilis affect pregnant individuals and their baby?

All pregnant women should be tested for syphilis to prevent passing syphilis to their baby. Most cases of congenital syphilis (where the pregnant individual with syphilis transmits it either through the placenta to the fetus or at birth to the baby) can be prevented with early screening and treatment.

What is the link between syphilis and HIV?

In the United States, people who get syphilis, gonorrhea, and herpes can be more likely to get HIV in the future.

Syphilis and other STIs tend to be linked to HIV. When someone gets an STI it suggests they got it from someone who may be at risk for other STIs and HIV.
The same behaviors that put someone at risk for one infection (not using condoms or lubricant, multiple partners, anonymous partners) often put them at risk for other STI infections.
Sores (chancres) caused by syphilis and other STIs make it easier for HIV to enter the body.

Learn more!

For more information about syphilis, visit https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/syphilis