News and Information

Back to News and Information

Syphilis, Signs, Symptoms & Treatment

What is Syphilis:

Syphilis is caused by the bacteria T. pallidum, a spiral shaped organism that moves throughout the body by splitting in two about once every day. The disease begins with a chancre which normally forms on the genital area. If left untreated, this chancre will heal, but the disease will progress possibly causing many complications- and in some instances death. Syphilis can now be effectively treated with penicillin or other antibiotics (for those allergic to penicillin). The widespread use of antibiotics has reduced the prevalence of syphilis significantly

How do people get syphilis?

Syphilis is spread from person to person. A person gets syphilis from direct contact with syphilis sore on the body of an infected person. Sores occur at the site of infection, mainly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or rectum. Sores can also be on the lips and in the mouth.
Transmission occurs during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. An infected pregnant woman can also pass the disease to her unborn child. Syphilis cannot be spread by contact with toilet seats, door knobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils.

Signs and symptoms of syphilis in adults:

Without treatment, syphilis in adults progresses through four stages:

• Primary
• Secondary
• Latent (hidden)
• Tertiary (late)

An infected person can easily pass the disease to a sex partner when first- or second-stage symptoms are present.
The first stage (primary syphilis) is marked by a very infectious sore, called a chancre. The chancre is usually firm, round, small, and painless. It appears at the spot where the bacteria entered the body. Chancres last 1 to 5 weeks and heal on their own.
Without treatment, the spread of the bacteria through the blood causes the second stage (secondary syphilis), which is characterized by a rash that usually does not itch. The rash can appear as the chancre is fading, or it can be delayed up to 10 weeks. It often appears as rough, "copper penny" spots on the palms of the hands and bottom of the feet. It can also look like prickly heat or appear as small blotches, a bad case of acne, moist warts in the groin, slimy white patches in the mouth, coin-sized dark circles, or chickenpox-like bumps. Other symptoms are fever, swollen glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and tiredness. Second-stage signs and symptoms last 2 to 6 weeks and clear up on their own.
If untreated, the infection progresses to a concealed stage during which symptoms disappear and the disease is no longer contagious. The bacteria remain in the body, though, and can begin to damage vital organs.
In about a third of untreated persons, the results of the internal damage show up years later in the late (tertiary) stage. Symptoms include paralysis, inability to coordinate movements, inability to feel pain, gradual blindness, dementia (madness) or other personality changes, impotence, blockage or ballooning of the heart vessels, tumors, damage to knee joints, and deep sores on the feet. The damage may be serious enough to cause death. The time between exposure and the start of the first symptom can range from 10 days to 90 days (average 21 days).

Signs and symptoms of syphilis in newborns:

Syphilis during pregnancy affects unborn babies and newborns. A pregnant woman with syphilis has about a 40% chance of having a stillbirth or a baby who dies shortly after birth. A baby who survives may be born with syphilis. This is called congenital syphilis.
A baby born to a mother with either untreated syphilis or syphilis treated after the 34th week of pregnancy has a 40% to 70% chance of having congenital syphilis. Some babies with congenital syphilis have no symptoms at birth but develop them in a few weeks if not treated immediately. Some babies are born with very serious health problems including skin sores, a very runny nose that is sometimes bloody (and infectious), slimy patches in the mouth, inflamed arms and legs, swollen liver, anemia, jaundice, pneumonia, or a small head. Untreated babies can develop mental retardation or have seizures. About 12% of infected newborns die from the disease.

How is syphilis diagnosed?

Syphilis bacteria can be detected by examining material from infectious sores under a microscope. A safe, accurate, and inexpensive blood test is also available. The test can detect syphilis antibodies produced by the body shortly after infection occurs. A low level of antibodies will stay in the blood for months or years after the disease has been treated and can be found by later blood tests.

Who is at risk for syphilis?

Anyone is at risk for syphilis during sexual contact with an infected person or a person whose syphilis status is not known. Babies born to infected women are also at risk.

Is syphilis a re-emerging infectious disease?

Yes, it can be. Syphilis rates increase and decrease depending on the intensity of prevention programs and on changes in sexual risk-taking and drug use. A rapid rise in cases in the late 1980s was due to changing sexual habits caused by widespread use of drugs such as crack cocaine. Current high rates in some parts of the country result from the combined effect of poverty, drug use, and lax efforts to control STDs.

Treatment of Syphilis:

Syphilis is effectively treated and is completely curable with antibiotics, penicillin being the most common. Those who cannot take penicillin will most likely be administered safer variants of penicillin. However, any damage the infection may have caused before treatment is irreversible. Therefore, see your doctor if you suspect you may be infected. Also, make sure your partners are checked out. If you are being treated for the disease, stop having sex until the treatment is over, and take all of your medication.

How to prevent Syphilis:

Two persons who know they are not infected and who have no other sex partners besides each other cannot get syphilis. Other sexually active persons should take precautions to prevent infection:

• Know your sex partners well. Do not have sex with anyone who has genital sores.
• Use condoms. Only laboratory tests can confirm someone has syphilis. Because syphilis sores can be hidden in the vagina, rectum, or mouth, it is not obvious by looking if a partner has syphilis. A latex condom put on the penis before beginning sex and worn until the penis is withdrawn is a good defense against infection. Syphilis cannot be prevented by washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex.
• See a health-care provider at the first sign of infection. Any unusual discharge, sore, or rash, especially in the groin area, should be a signal to stop having sex and too.

If you are pregnant, get a prenatal blood test. Because untreated syphilis in a pregnant woman can infect and possibly kill her developing baby, every pregnant woman should have a blood test for syphilis