WTF is

Syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause serious health problems without treatment. Infection develops in stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary). Each stage can have different signs and symptoms.

Many patients have syphilis with no signs or symptoms - (latent syphilis) treatment is important even if you have latent syphilis because you can progress to a later stage.

Syphilis pink graphic illustration
Syphilis mouth sore graphic
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How do I know if I have it?

  • Sores can be in a place like your rectum, on the vulva, inside the vagina, or inside your mouth so you may not notice it.
  • A physical exam done by your doctor and a blood test is the best way to determine if you have syphilis.
  • It can take days to weeks from when you came in contact with syphilis to when you may notice symptoms. You also may not notice initial symptoms but then develop symptoms months or years later.

So...

What are the 3 stages?

The symptoms may be different from person-to-person and may come and go:

Primary Syphilis

Can be a painless, open sore on your penis, testicles, vulva, vagina, in or around your rectum or mouth—depending on the type of sex you have. If your partner has a sore on their penis, and you have vaginal or anal sex (bottom) without a condom your sore could be in or around your vagina or butt, or in your mouth if you give oral sex. The sore will heal after a few weeks without medicine. However, you still have syphilis so it’s important not to ignore it.

Secondary Syphilis

Can start as long as 6 months after being infected with syphilis. Signs can include a rash on your chest or torso, what look like spots on your hands or feet, swollen glands, white patches inside your mouth or white or warty bumps around your genitals. These symptoms will also go away without medication, but don’t ignore them. Syphilis must be treated to avoid complications.

Latent (Hidden) Syphilis

During this stage, you do not have any symptoms. But you still have syphilis and can pass it to others. This latent stage can last for many years. During this stage you can also relapse and experience secondary symptoms again. It is incredibly important not to leave syphilis untreated. Over time, it can cause serious health complications such as blindness, problems with the heart and mental illness.

How do I get tested?

Because the symptoms can be tricky to diagnose, you should have a physical exam done by your doctor and a blood test to determine if you have syphilis. Remember, a syphilis sore can be in a place like your rectum or inside your mouth so you may not notice it. That is why a blood test is so important.

It is especially important to talk to a public health worker about who you’ve had sex with, even if you don’t know a lot about them. This helps prevent syphilis infections in your community.

Graphic of prescription pill bottle

Uh...

How do I get treated?

  • If you have tested positive for syphilis, have been told by your partner they have syphilis and/or are experiencing symptoms of syphilis, you need to seek medical treatment immediately.
  • Your provider will prescribe and antibiotic to treat syphilis. Many times the treatment is a shot of Pencilllin but you may be prescribed pills.  You should make sure you have follow-up blood tests around 6 months after treatment to make sure the treatment worked. Like other bacterial infections, you can get syphilis again.
  • You should stop having sex while receiving treatment.

Well...

How is it transmitted?

  • Oral, anal or vaginal sex without a condom.
  • Skin-to-skin contact with an infected person who has a sore or rash.
  • Condoms do not provide 100% protection if a sore or rash aren’t covered by the condom.
  • Rimming and fisting can also put you at risk.
Syphilis graphic of hand with rash
Graphic of banana with condom

Ok...

How do I protect myself?

  • Use condoms every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

COMMON STIs AND OTHER INFECTIONS

Read more about the most common STIs and other infections below to know how to get tested and treated.

Free STI testing - Colorful graphic of condom

Syphilis is an STI that starts as a painless sore. It can cause many different symptoms including rash, swollen lymph nodes and even brain damage and blindness.

Chlamydia is an STI that may include painful urination and abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina.

Gonorrhea is an STI that causes painful urination and discharge. If untreated it may cause infertility.

Mpox is spread through close, physical contact between individuals. Symptoms can include rashes, bumps, or blisters.

Vaginitis is a term that covers multiple conditions that are not always transmitted through sex.

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis is often caused by a virus and there are many different kinds.

Genital herpes is a common STI that causes genital pain and sores.

HPV

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are many different types of HPV, some more serious than others. The good thing is that there is a vaccine to prevent many types of HPV.

Definiciones de términos

  • Administración de casos médicos, incluidos los servicios de adhesión al tratamiento

    Ayuda para facilitar las necesidades de atención médica y salud mental de personas con VIH, proporcionando además servicios de apoyo.

  • Asistencia farmacéutica para el SIDA

    Un programa que ayuda a pagar los medicamentos para el VIH y otros medicamentos.

  • Asistencia financiera de emergencia

    Ayuda a corto plazo para cubrir necesidades de emergencia, incluidos los servicios públicos, la vivienda y el transporte.

  • Asistencia financiera de emergencia para farmacia

    Ayuda para el pago de medicamentos.

  • Atención ambulatoria por consumo de sustancias

    Tratamiento por el consumo de drogas o alcohol en un consultorio u oficina clínica.

  • Atención de salud oral

    Cuidado dental.

  • Banco de alimentos / Comidas a domicilio

    Ayuda para obtener alimentos, ya sea en un banco de alimentos o con entrega a domicilio.

  • Educación en salud / Reducción de Riesgos

    Información y educación sobre cómo se transmite el VIH y cómo atender sus necesidades de salud.

  • Especialidad en adolescentes edades de 12 a 24

  • Línea directa del Centro de excelencia PEP

    Línea directa para obtener medicamentos que previenen el VIH después de una exposición.

  • Prueba del VIH

    Prueba de VIH disponibles en un servicio de atención sin cita previa.

  • Psychosocial Support Services

    non-clinical counseling and help

  • Servicios de atención primaria

    Servicios médicos de atención primaria disponibles independientemente de la capacidad de pago, el estado del seguro o el estatus migratorio.

  • Servicios de atención y apoyo para el VIH

  • Servicios de prevención de sobredosis

    Servicios para prevenir la transmisión del VIH relacionada con el consumo de sustancias.

  • Servicios de prevención del VIH

  • Servicios de reducción de daños

    Servicios para prevenir la transmisión del VIH y las sobredosis. Los servicios incluyen el intercambio de jeringas usadas por nuevas, con el fin de prevenir el VIH y otras enfermedades transmisibles.

  • Servicios de salud ambulatorios / externos

    Atención médica para el VIH en consultorios u oficinas clínicas.

  • Servicios de salud mental

    Un consejero u otro profesional que lo ayude a abordar problemas de salud mental.

  • Servicios de salud sexual sin cita previa

    Atención en salud sexual, pruebas de STI y pruebas de VIH en una clínica de atención sin cita previa.

  • Servicios legales

    Ayuda por parte de un abogado.

  • Servicios lingüísticos

    Traducción de idiomas para el médico u otro proveedor de servicios.

  • TelePrEP

    Acceso en línea y por teléfono a medicamentos para prevenir el VIH.

  • Terapia de nutrición médica

    Asesoramiento de un profesional autorizado sobre qué comer según las necesidades médicas específicas y ayuda para obtener alimentos o suplementos nutricionales (como Ensure).

  • Transporte médico

    Transporte hacia citas médicas.

  • Vivienda de transición

    Ayuda para el pago de la vivienda destinada a personas con VIH que están sin hogar o enfrentan inseguridad habitacional.

  • Vivienda Ryan White

    Ayuda a corto plazo para pagar la renta.

Term Definitions

  • Adolescent Specialty Age 12 to 24

    Agency has identified itself as a provider of services specifically for the age group from 12 to 24. The agency may also provide services for other age groups.

  • AIDS Pharmaceutical Assistance

    A program that helps pay for HIV and other medications.

  • Emergency Financial Assistance

    Short-term help paying for an emergency need, including utilities, housing, and transportation.

  • Emergency Financial Assistance Pharmacy

    Help with paying for medication.

  • Food Bank/Home Delivered Meals

    Help with getting food, either at a food bank or delivered to your home.

  • Harm Reduction and Syringe Access Services

    Services to prevent HIV transmission and overdose. Services include exchange of used syringes for new syringes in order to prevent HIV and other communicable diseases.

  • Harm Reduction Services

    Services to prevent HIV transmission and overdose. Services include exchange of used syringes for new syringes in order to prevent HIV and other communicable diseases.

  • Health Education/Risk Reduction

    Information and education on how HIV is transmitted and how to take care of your health needs.

  • HIV Care and Support Services

    These are services that are sometimes called “Ryan White Services.” They are services to provide HIV care or other assistance to individuals with HIV.

  • HIV Prevention Services

    These services are meant to help prevent HIV transmission. Some services are specific to people who are HIV negative, and other services are available regardless of HIV status.

  • HIV Testing

    HIV testing in a walk-in setting.

  • Legal Services

    Help from a lawyer.

  • Medical Case Management, including Treatment Adherence Services

    Help facilitating healthcare and mental health needs for people with HIV while providing support services.

  • Medical Nutrition Therapy

    Advice from a licensed professional about what to eat for a specific medical need and help getting food or nutritional supplements (such as Ensure).

  • Medical Transportation

    Transportation to medical appointments.

  • Mental Health Services

    A counselor or other professional to help deal with a mental health problem.

  • Oral Health Care

    Dental care.

  • Outpatient/Ambulatory Health Services

    HIV medical care in an office or clinic.

  • Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for Non-Occupational Exposures (PEP COE)

    A hotline to find medicine to prevent HIV after an exposure.

  • Primary Care Services

    Primary medical care services available regardless of ability to pay, insurance status, or immigration status.

  • Psychosocial Support Services

    Non-clinical counseling and help.

  • Ryan White Housing

    Short-term help paying rent.

  • Substance Abuse Outpatient Care

    Drug or alcohol treatment at an office or clinic.

  • TelePrEP

    Online and phone access to medicine to prevent HIV.

  • Transitional Housing

    Help paying for housing for people with HIV experiencing homeless or with housing insecurity.

  • Walk-In Sexual Health Services

    Sexual health, STI testing, and HIV testing in a walk-in clinic.

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