Beware:
- All pregnant women should be tested for syphilis at their first prenatal visit.
Symptoms
Four stages:
- In the primary stage, the main symptom is a sore. Sometimes syphilis is called the “great imitator” because the sore can look like a cut, an ingrown hair, or a harmless bump.
These sores usually occur on or around the genitals, around the anus or in the rectum, or in or around the mouth. These sores are usually (but not always) firm, round, and painless.
- The secondary stage starts with a rash on your body, followed by sores in your mouth, vagina, or anus. Symptoms of secondary syphilis include skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. The signs and symptoms of primary and secondary syphilis can be mild, and they might not be noticed.
- Symptoms usually disappear in the third, or latent, stage. During the latent stage, there are no signs or symptoms. This stage can last for years or the rest of your life.
- Only about 15% of people with untreated syphilis will develop the final stage. In the late stage, it causes organ and nerve damage. It can also cause problems in your brain. Tertiary syphilis is associated with severe medical problems. A doctor can usually diagnose tertiary syphilis with the help of multiple tests.
Contagion:
- You can get syphilis by direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You can find sores on or around the penis, vagina, or anus, or in the rectum, on the lips, or in the mouth. Syphilis can spread from an infected mother to her unborn baby.
Treatment
- Your doctor can give you antibiotics to treat syphilis. The earlier treatment starts, the fewer antibiotics you’ll need and the more quickly they work.
Consequences
- It can also cause problems in your brain. Tertiary syphilis is associated with severe medical problems. A doctor can usually diagnose tertiary syphilis with the help of multiple tests.
- If you are pregnant and have syphilis, you can give the infection to your unborn baby. This can lead to low birth weight. It can also make it more likely you will deliver your baby too early or stillborn.
- An infected baby may be born without signs or symptoms of disease. However, if not treated immediately, the baby may develop serious problems within a few weeks. Untreated babies can have health problems such as cataracts, deafness, or seizures, and can die
Medical examination
- You should get tested regularly for syphilis if you are sexually active and
Prevention
- Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested for syphilis and does not have syphilis;
- Using latex condoms the right way every time you have sex.
- Sometimes sores occur in areas not covered by a condom.
- To protect your baby, you should be tested for syphilis at least once during your pregnancy. Receive immediate treatment if you test positive.
