syphilis treatment

Syphilis is an infection caused by the bacteria treponema pallidum. If left untreated, this sexually transmitted disease (STD) can cause serious health problems that may damage the brain, heart, eyes, nerves and more.¹

Syphilis spreads as a result of direct contact with a syphilitic sore, which is also known as a chancre. These chancres show up in, on or around the penis, vagina, anus, rectum, lips or mouth of an infected person. This STD can be spread during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Another form is congenital syphilis, which happens when a pregnant person passes syphilis on to their baby.¹

While cases of this STD reached a historic low at the start of the 2000s, cases have increased and reached over 176,000 new cases in 2021.¹

If you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of syphilis or suspect you may have contracted this STD, it is important to get tested as soon as possible. At MedExpress, a provider will evaluate your symptoms and ask questions about your sexual history to determine which test is right for you, which may include a blood test. It may require multiple tests to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

For your convenience, we accept most major insurance. To verify that your insurance is in-network, visit the Plan Your Visit page. We also offer a discount to those patients who choose to pay in full for their visit at the time of service. Self-pay services are $199.

What is Syphilis?

Syphilis is an STD that causes serious health problems if left untreated. The disease is divided into stages (primary, secondary, latent and tertiary) with different signs and symptoms that evolve over time.

It can be difficult to know if a partner is infected. That’s because syphilis sores can be painless and hard to find, often hidden within the vagina, anus or mouth, as well as under the foreskin of the penis.

Many people infected with syphilis may not even know that they have the disease, as it has few initial symptoms. This also means that the disease can easily be passed on to others unknowingly. Unless you know that your partner and all their partners have been tested and treated, you may be at risk.²

When a pregnant person has syphilis, the infection can spread to their baby. That’s why anyone who gets pregnant should get tested for syphilis at their first prenatal visit, during the third trimester and at delivery.¹

What Are the Stages of Syphilis?

This disease follows a progression of stages that can last for weeks, months and perhaps years if you do not get syphilis treatment:¹

• Primary Stage: A firm, round and painless chancre starts the first stage of the disease, but it may be followed by multiple sores. Often, the first sore appears at the location where the disease entered the body. It lasts for three to six weeks and will heal regardless of treatment. If you don’t get treatment, you will progress to the next stage.
• Secondary Stage: Several weeks after the chancre heals, syphilis rash or mucous membrane lesions in the mouth, vagina or anus will appear. They appear as red or reddish-brown spots that don’t cause itching. These symptoms will go away with or without treatment. However, without treatment, syphilis will progress to the latent (hidden) or tertiary stage.
• Latent (Hidden) Stage: During this stage, there are no visible signs or symptoms. It can last for years and you can still pass the infection on to others.
• Tertiary Syphilis: While rare, when syphilis infections are untreated, tertiary syphilis can develop and affect multiple organ systems. This can happen anywhere from 10 to 30 years after the initial infection.

What Causes Syphilis?

The bacterium treponema pallidum, which is the scientific name for syphilis, transmits the disease when an uninfected person is in direct sexual contact with a partner with a syphilis sore.

Any sexually active person can get syphilis. It can also be transmitted during childbirth, which is called congenital syphilis.

You cannot get syphilis from toilet seats, doorknobs, shared clothing or eating utensils. You also cannot get this STD from sharing swimming pools, hot tubs or bathtubs with an infected person.¹

What Are the Symptoms of Syphilis?¹

• Primary Stage: A small painless sore or chancre.
• Secondary Stage: Painless skin rashes appear. Other symptoms may include:¹
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Hair loss
  • Headache
  • Muscle ache
  • Sore throat
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Weight loss
• Latent Stage: While the symptoms of the disease disappear, the infection stays in the body and may still be transmitted to others.
• Tertiary Stage: In untreated cases of syphilis, major health issues can occur up to 10 to 30 years after the initial infection. This stage can impact the following organs and even cause death:
  • Blood vessels
  • Bones and joints
  • Blood
  • Eyes
  • Heart
  • Liver
  • Nerves

At any stage of infection, syphilis can infect other systems of your body, such as the nervous system (neurosyphilis), the visual system (ocular syphilis) and the hearing and vestibular system (otosyphilis).

Signs and symptoms of neurosyphilis can include:

• Confusion
• Dementia and memory issues
• Muscle weakness, movement issues and paraylsis
• Numbness
• Personality changes
• Severe headache
• Trouble focusing

Signs and symptoms of ocular syphilis can include:

• Blindness
• Blurry vision
• Eye pain or redness
• Floating spots in your vision
• Light sensitivity

Signs and symptoms of otosyphilis can include:

• Balance issues
• Dizziness
• Hearing loss
• Ringing in the ears
• Vertigo

How Do You Diagnose Syphilis?

The only way to know for sure is to get tested. Start by speaking with your provider about your sexual history and if you should be tested. They can then conduct a blood test to determine if you have syphilis or diagnose you by taking fluid from a syphilis sore.

Is syphilis curable? Yes. With the right medicine, it can be cured. However, you have gone untreated for an extended period, the damage from your infection can't be undone.¹

Should your partner be treated if you have syphilis? Yes. You should notifiy any partners so they can receive testing and treatment if needed. You should also avoid any sexual contact with new partners until your sores have healed and you have been tested.

How Do You Prevent Syphilis?

Condoms should always be used during sex to prevent contact with a sore. However, as condoms only cover the penis itself, sores in uncovered areas shuch as the scrotum and anus may transmit syphilis.¹

While condoms can reduce your risk of getting syphilis when used properly, the only foolproof way to prevent syphilis is to either abstain from sex or to only have sex with one uninfected and monogamour partner. If you do choose to have multiple partners or at high risk of an STI, you should get frequent STI tests.¹

It is also a myth that washing your genitals or urinating or douching post-sex can prevent syphilis. None of these actions will prevent this STD.¹

If you are concerned that you may have syphilis or any other STI or STD, we're here to help with private and confidential care.

References

1 CDC. About Syphilis. Last updated December 8, 2024. Accessed August 2, 2024

2 WHO. Syphilis. Last updated May 21, 2024. Accessed August 20, 2024.