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Syphilis
Basic facts:
- Syphilis is an STI transmitted through direct contact with the sores
the infection causes on the mouth, lips, genitals, vagina, penis, anus,
or surrounding areas.
- Primary syphilis: Initially
causes sores that will heal on their own, but the infection will still
be present and can progress to:
- Secondary syphilis: Rash, sore throat, muscle
aches, tiredness, and swollen lymph nodes
- Tertiary syphilis: No symptoms for
many years; eventually can affect every part of the body; at this stage,
can damage the heart and nervous system and can cause death
Symptoms:
- Blisters or ulcers (sores) on the mouth, lips, genitals, anus,
or surrounding areas
Complications:
- If left untreated, the sores syphilis causes will heal on their
own, but the client will still have the infection, which can progress
and cause serious problems.
- If left untreated, syphilis can damage the heart and nervous
system and can cause death.
- Syphilis can be transmitted to a baby during pregnancy, causing
stillbirth or the death of the baby shortly after delivery. Transmission
to a baby can be avoided if the woman is treated early in pregnancy.
If a pregnant woman tests positive for syphilis, she and any sexual
partners must receive treatment as early in the pregnancy as possible.
Repeat testing should be done close to delivery, if possible.
Prevention of transmission to others
and repeat infections:
- An infected client should inform all sexual partners he or she
has had in the last three months about the infection (if possible)
and encourage them to come to the clinic for more information
and treatment—even if a partner does not have any symptoms.
- An infected client should avoid sex (1) until the sores are completely
healed after treatment to make sure he or she does not pass the infection
to others, and (2) until after any partner completes treatment (or for
seven days if one-dose therapy is used) so he or she does not get infected
again. If abstinence is not possible, the client should use a male or
female condom during anal, oral, or vaginal sex (however, transmission
can still occur if the condom does not cover the sores).
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