Syphilis is an incredibly serious sexually transmitted infection (otherwise known as a sexually transmitted disease or STD) that has been wreaking havoc on people’s health for centuries. From Henry VIII and Oscar Wilde, to the average man and woman suffering from the infection, syphilis has done untold damage over the years to thousands of people old and young and from all walks of life.
So it makes sense that people would want to recognize the signs and symptoms of syphilis. If you know you have syphilis, you can treat and treat it before it seriously affects your health.
In this blog, we’ll cover what syphilis is, the different stages of the infection, and how you can recognize the signs and symptoms so you can get tested.
What is syphilis?
Syphilis is an infection caused by Treponema pallidum bacterium. The infection is primarily transmitted through sexual activity, such as vaginal, anal, and oral sex, but it can also be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, such as touching a syphilitic chancre. Syphilis can also be spread by sharing intravenous drug needles.
The stages of syphilis
Syphilis typically progresses through several stages, each with its own set of symptoms. It is important to recognize these stages to understand the symptoms of syphilis that may occur:
Primary stage
This is the initial stage and often begins with the appearance of a painless chancre about 10 days after the initial infection. A chancre is usually a tight, round sore and appears at the site of infection (genitals, anus or mouth). The chancre is the first visual symptom that the infection will cause.
This stage of syphilis usually lasts about 21 days and will progress to the second stage if left untreated.
Secondary stage
At this stage, the infection becomes more systemic and can affect different parts of the body, leading to a wide range of symptoms.
Symptoms may include a rash, often characterized by red or brown lesions that may appear on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and other areas. White or gray lesions may also appear in warm and moist areas such as the lips or anus, usually at the site of the original brain.
Other symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Motion sickness
- Dizziness
- Muscle pains
- Fever
- Headache
- Sore throat
If left untreated, the symptoms seen in Secondary Syphilis will resolve on their own and the infection will enter the latent stage.
Latent stage
After the secondary stage, syphilis may enter a latent period where it produces no noticeable symptoms.
This latent period is what makes syphilis so dangerous – even though the patient is still infected, they will show no outward signs of infection, allowing the bacteria to reproduce and damage organ systems for months or years.
Latent syphilis can last for many years before the final Tertiary stage.
Tertiary Syphilis
If left untreated, syphilis can progress over years or decades to tertiary syphilis, which can affect organs such as the heart, brain, and nerves. It can cause various conditions, such as:
- Dementia
- Meningitis
- Encephalitis
- Epileptic seizures
- Hallucinations
- Blindness
- Hearing loss
- Chronic dizziness and difficulty maintaining balance
- Inflammation of the aorta
- Blockages of blood vessels in the heart
When a patient reaches the stage of Tertiary Syphilis, the damage caused by the infection over the years can be fatal.
Congenital Syphilis
Although congenital syphilis is not a stage of syphilis infection, it is no less important to be aware of.
Congenital syphilis occurs when a mother with untreated syphilis passes the infection to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth. It can cause a rash, fever, liver and spleen problems, and anemia, among other complications for the baby. Congenital syphilis in newborns can cause irreversible health problems or death in up to 40% of all live babies born to women with untreated infection.
The effects that a mother’s syphilis infection can have on a baby is another reason why people at risk for syphilis should be tested early and often.
The importance of early detection
Early detection of syphilis is crucial for effective treatment and prevention of disease progression.
Prevention of syphilis
Avoiding syphilis in the first place is always the best approach.
Safe sex practices, such as consistent and correct condom use, can greatly reduce the risk of contracting syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections. Regular STD screenings are also essential, especially if you engage in high-risk behaviors.
Final thoughts
Syphilis can present with various symptoms as it progresses through its stages, which can help alert people when to get tested. While these symptoms can be alarming, early detection and treatment are key to preventing further complications. Syphilis is treatable and curable if diagnosed early and testing is a preventative step towards its management.
If you think you may have been exposed to syphilis, you should get tested with Better2Know. Our Sexual Health Consultants can help you find the right STD test and clinic to meet your needs so you can get the syphilis treatment you need.
