Are you ever curious about learning ALL the facts about STD’s? Well go no further! Over the next few months, this blog will be providing comprehensive information on many STD’s. This week is on Syphilis, so keep reading!

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a type of bacteria (Treponema pallidum).  It has often been called “the great imitator” because so many of the signs and symptoms are exactly like those from those of other diseases.

How common is syphilis?

In the United States, over 32,000 cases of syphilis were reported in 2002.  Infectious syphilis occurred most in women 20 to 24 years of age and in men 35 to 39 years of age.

Between 2001 and 2002, the number of reported “primary” and “secondary” syphilis cases increased 12.4 percent (see descriptions below).  Rates in women continued to decrease, while rates in men were 3.5 times those in women.  Reports of syphilis outbreaks in men who have sex with men suggest that rates of syphilis in this group is increasing.

How do people get syphilis?

Syphilis is passed from person to person through direct contact with a syphilis sore.  Sores occur mainly on the genitals, vagina, anus or in the rectum.  Sores can also occur on the lips and in the mouth.  The bacteria that causes syphilis can spread during vaginal, anal or oral sex.  Pregnant women with the disease can pass it to the babies they are carrying.  Syphilis cannot be spread through contact with toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing or eating utensils.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Primary Stage

Many people infected with syphilis do not have any symptoms for years, but are at risk for later complications if they are not treated.  The disease is thought to spread mostly from people who are in the primary and secondary stage of the disease.  Because of this, people who spread the disease are often unaware that they are infected.

During the primary stage of syphilis a single sore (called a chancre) appears, but there may be multiple sores.  The time between infection with syphilis and the start of the first symptom can range from 10 to 90 days (average 21 days).  The chancre is usually firm, round, small and painless.  It appears at the spot where syphilis entered the body.  The chancre lasts 3 to 6 weeks and it heals without treatment.  Infection progresses to the secondary stage if not treated.

Secondary Stage

During the second stage, skin rash and mucous membrane lesions (wounds) occur.  This stage typically starts with a rash on one or more areas of the body.  The rash usually does not cause itching.  Rashes during secondary syphilis can appear as the chancre is healing or several weeks after it has healed.  The typical rash of secondary syphilis may appear as rough, red or reddish brown spots both on the palms of the hands and bottoms of the feet.  However, rashes that look different may occur on other parts of the body.  Sometimes the rashes are so faint that they are not noticed.  Other symptoms of secondary syphilis may include fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches and fatigue.  The symptoms of secondary syphilis will go away with or without treatment.  However, without treatment the infection will progress to the late stages of disease.

Late Stage

This latent (hidden) stage of syphilis begins when secondary symptoms disappear.  Without treatment, the infected person will continue to have syphilis even though there are no symptoms.  The infection remains in the body.  In the late stages of syphilis, it may damage internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints.  This internal damage may not show up for many years.  Signs and symptoms of the late stage of syphilis include difficulty with muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness and dementia.  This damage may be serious enough to cause death.

How does syphilis affect a pregnant woman and her baby?

The bacteria that causes syphilis can infect the baby of woman during her pregnancy.  Depending on how long a pregnant woman has been infected, she may have a high risk of having a stillbirth (a baby born dead) or of giving birth to a baby who dies shortly after birth.  An infected baby may be born without symptoms of disease.  However, if not treated immediately, the baby may develop serious problems within a few weeks.  Untreated babies may become slow developing, have seizures or die.

How is syphilis diagnosed?

Some health care providers can diagnose syphilis by examining a chancre (infectious sore) using a special microscope.  A blood test can also determine whether someone has syphilis.  Shortly after infection occurs, the body produces antibodies that can be found by a 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.

What is the link between syphilis and HIV?

Genital sores (chancres) caused by syphilis make it easier to transmit and acquire HIV infection sexually.  It is estimated that a person with syphilis is 2 to 5 times more likely to get HIV infection.  HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

Syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like it interferes with the body’s protection against infections.  Genital ulcers caused by syphilis can bleed easily.  When they come into contact  with body fluids during oral and anal sex they increase the chances of getting HIV.  Having STDs is a common trait of people who have sexual behaviors that can cause the spread of HIV.

What is the treatment for syphilis?

Syphilis is easy to cure in its early stages.  A single injection of penicillin will cure a person who has had syphilis for less than a year.  Additional doses are needed to treat someone who has had syphilis for longer than a year.  There are no home remedies or over-the-counter drugs that will cure syphilis.  Treatment will kill the bacteria that causes syphilis and prevent further damage.  However, it will not repair damage already done.

Will syphilis recur?

Having syphilis once does not protect a person from getting it again.  Following successful treatment, people can still be re-infected.  Only laboratory tests can confirm whether someone has syphilis.  Because syphilis sores can be hidden in the vagina, rectum or mouth, it may not be obvious that another person has syphilis.

How can syphilis be prevented?

The surest way to avoid infection with any sexually transmitted disease, including syphilis, is to practice sexual abstinence (abstain from any sexual contact) while single.  If you marry, select a partner who is not infected with an STD and remain sexually faithful during marriage.

Condoms do not provide complete protection from STDs.  Infection can occur in both males and females whether or not a condom is used.  A recent review by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) determined that there is no clinical proof that condoms are effective in reducing the risk of this STD.

Any unusual discharge, sore or rash should be a signal to see a doctor immediately.  If you think you are infected see a health care provider immediately and notify anyone that you have has sex with so that they can also get treatment.  Avoiding alcohol and drug use may also help prevent transmission of syphilis because these activities could lead to risky sexual behavior.

 

Contents excerpted from the pamphlet “Syphilis” From Heritage House ’76 Inc. Copyright © 2004.  Item #9583 SY Excerpted with permission. All rights reserved. www.abstinence.resources.com