Syphilis

Syphilis is an infection caused by bacteria. It’s usually spread through sex. It's a type of sexually transmitted infection (STI).

The first symptom is usually a painless, red sore on the genitals, rectal area, or mouth. This is called a chancre (say “SHANK-er”). Later symptoms include a rash, a fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Your hair may start to fall out. Or you may feel like you have the flu.

Sometimes these symptoms go away on their own. But this doesn’t mean that the infection is gone. If you don’t treat syphilis with antibiotics, the infection can spread in your body. You can also spread it to others.

Antibiotics can cure syphilis and prevent more serious problems caused by it. You and your sex partner or partners need antibiotic treatment. This is to prevent passing the infection back and forth or to others.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of syphilis?

One of the first signs of syphilis is a painless, raised sore in or on the genitals, rectal area, or mouth. As syphilis spreads, symptoms may include a rash, a fever, swollen lymph nodes, hair loss, and weight loss. Without treatment, syphilis may cause damage to the heart, nerves, ears, and eyes.

Diagnosis

How is syphilis diagnosed?

Your doctor will do a physical exam. You'll be asked about your symptoms and your sexual history.

Syphilis is most often diagnosed with blood tests. If you have sores, your doctor may take a sample of fluid from a sore for testing. A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) may be done if your symptoms suggest the syphilis infection has moved to the brain, spinal cord, or eyes.

More testing may be done to look for other sexually transmitted infections, such as:

  • Chlamydia.
  • Gonorrhea.
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). People who have syphilis have a greater chance of being exposed to HIV.

Treatment

How is syphilis treated?

Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics. Penicillin is the preferred medicine. You will need to be treated, and so will any sex partners that you may have exposed to the infection.

At any stage of the infection, antibiotics work well to cure syphilis. They can't undo the damage already caused by late-stage syphilis. But they can help you avoid further problems from the infection.

You cannot treat syphilis on your own. It must be treated with medicine that only a doctor can give you. Treatment helps you avoid other serious health problems. And it keeps you from spreading syphilis to others.

Being treated during pregnancy can help you avoid miscarriage or stillbirth. It can also help keep your baby from being born with syphilis.