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.
Hmm...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Learn more