Primary stage (10 to 90 days after infection)
A painless chancre (small sore) may appear on the skin or mucous membranes (genitals, rectum, mouth). The chancre will heal in 3–6 weeks without treatment, but the infection remains.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.
You can have syphilis and not know it. Some people develop symptoms while others do not. Whether symptomatic or not, if you have syphilis you can transmit it to others. The infection develops in three stages and symptoms differ at each stage.
Symptoms
Secondary stage (May appear with the chancre or later)
Skin rashes (chest, back, and characteristically the palms and soles), joint and muscle pain, fever, and patchy hair loss. Symptoms may resolve without treatment, but the infection persists (latent syphilis).
Tertiary stage (Up to 30 years after infection)
Severe damage to vital organs and the nervous system (heart, brain, eyes, bones).
Specific modes of transmission
- By sexual contact (oral, anal, vaginal).
- By contact with a skin lesion (the chancre is highly contagious).
- Through blood (sharing needles or injection equipment).
- From mother to child during pregnancy or birth.
Diagnosis
- 1. Clinical exam: look for characteristic lesions.
- 2. Blood tests: non-treponemal tests (VDRL, RPR) for screening and monitoring; treponemal tests (FTA-ABS, TPHA) to confirm diagnosis.
- 3. Microscopy: direct observation of the bacteria in a chancre (rare).
- 4. Lumbar puncture: when neurosyphilis is suspected.
Protection methods
- Use condoms or a latex square for penetrative and oral sex.
- Use clean equipment for injections.
- Avoid contact with skin lesions during the primary and secondary stages.
- Get tested regularly if you have multiple partners.
Treatment
Syphilis is treated with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. Treatment may cause a reaction (fever). A blood test six months after treatment is necessary to confirm the treatment worked. Follow-up testing is very important.