Is Syphilis 100% Curable?

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection. Syphilis is totally curable.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection. Syphilis is totally curable.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection. This means that it is a bacterial infection mostly spread by sexual contact. The skin or mucous can carry the infection. It first appears as a simple sore on the genital area or the mouth.  

Syphilis can be cured early on, but left untreated, it can lead to potential problems that can be life-threatening. 

Syphilis is common all over the world. It is also very prominent in southern areas of the United States. It is caused by the bacteria  Treponema pallidum.  It enters the mouth, skin, or anus during intimate contact. 

Syphilis forms a chancre sore at the initial site of the infection. Once the ulcer has formed, the bacteria spread throughout the body and lead to a rash.  

What are the signs of syphilis?

Initially, the signs of syphilis could be hard to notice. They come and go, and change over time. It can take up to 3 weeks for the symptoms to appear after you become infected.

Syphilis symptoms include:

  • Sores on the penis, vagina, anus, lips, or hands
  • Grey or white wart-like growths on the same areas
  • A non-itchy rash on the palms of the hand, or soles of the feet that can spread through the body
  • Flu-like symptoms (headache, fatigue, high temperature)
  • White patches in the mouth
  • Swollen glands

What are the four stages of syphilis?

Primary syphilis is stage 1. Usually, after 10 days to 3 months, painless ulcers appear. They can heal alone without treatment, but this does not mean you are syphilis-free.

Stage 2 is secondary syphilis. It begins 2 weeks to 6 months after the ulcer heals. Bacteria travel through the body and cause a rash. Flu-like symptoms may occur at this time. The symptoms can go away in 2 – 6 weeks, but you are still infected, and that is dangerous. 

Latent syphilis is stage 3 and this is when the infection “hides”. This stage is tricky because even though you are infected, you could go up to 20 years without any symptoms. You may have an occasional “flare-up” of symptoms, but that is more common in the first year of stage 3.

Late or tertiary syphilis is stage 4. One in every four people who don’t get treatment will get this type of syphilis, which can damage any organ in the body.

What are the risk factors for getting syphilis? 

You may be at risk for syphilis if:

  • Have several sex partners
  • Have unprotected sex
  • Are infected with HIV

You can get syphilis if any part of your body comes into contact with the ulcer or rash of someone with syphilis. This happens most often during sex.

How is syphilis diagnosed?

Syphilis can be diagnosed using samples of blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Blood tests can tell if antibodies are present that fight infection. Syphilis-causing bacteria triggers antibodies that can stay in your body for years. This helps the doctor to conclude if your infection is a current or past infection. If there is a suspected neuro complication from syphilis, the doctor may perform a lumbar puncture to sample your cerebrospinal fluid. 

If you are diagnosed with syphilis, your health department or the Center for Disease Control can help you get in touch with past sexual partners that can be infected. They can then be tested and treated to limit more spreading of the infection. 

Is syphilis curable?

Syphilis is totally curable. The first-choice treatment for syphilis is the antibiotic penicillin. Your antibiotic can be given as a capsule, tablet, or injection. Your doctor may choose to start your treatment even before your test results come back. The length of time needed to treat you depends on which stage of syphilis you are in. You should follow up with your doctor to make sure the disease is completely gone once treated. 

On the first day after treatment, you may experience a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction. This is a series of chills, nausea, aches, and fever that usually lasts no longer than a day.

What happens if syphilis is not treated?

Without treatment, syphilis can cause numerous complications in every system of the body. It can increase the risk of HIV infection and lead to problems during pregnancy. Treatment can stop further damages but cannot reverse damage that has already occurred. 

Bumps can develop on the bones, skin, liver, or other organs in late-stage syphilis. There are numerous neurological problems that syphilis can cause as well. These can include: 

Cardiovascular problems like swelling and bulging of the aorta can occur. Other blood vessels can sustain damage, and syphilis can also damage your heart valves. People with syphilis or any genital ulcer can have a risk of contracting HIV because the lesions bleed easily and allow a way for HIV to contaminate the bloodstream during sex. 

If you have syphilis and are pregnant, you can pass the bacteria on to your baby. This is called congenital syphilis and increases the risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, or premature death of your baby shortly after birth. A pregnant mom has to be treated with penicillin. 




QUESTION

Condoms are the best protection from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
See Answer

What can be done to prevent syphilis?

You can do many things to stay safe and decrease the risk of getting syphilis. Not having sex is the only guarantee of avoiding infections. If sexually active, you and your sexual partner should have a complete physical check-up. This is beneficial because you can test for numerous sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis, herpes, gonorrhea, genital warts, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.

Consider using a condom while engaging in vaginal or anal sex. Use the condom to cover the penis or a plastic dam to place over the vagina during oral sex. Bear in mind, though, that condoms will not completely stop the risk of infection. This is because they are not indestructible and do not cover rashes and ulcers on other parts of the body. 

Lastly, make sure you and your partner complete treatment and are deemed disease-free if you have previously had syphilis. 

Check Also

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Due to their rich vitamin content, polyphenols, and beneficial effects on health, these are the 13 healthiest root vegetables to add to your diet. Starchy vegetables that grow in the soil are called root vegetables. Though other plant components develop through the soil and to the surface, the starchy portion, also called the storage organ, …

Is Syphilis 100% Curable?

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection. Syphilis is totally curable.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection. Syphilis is totally curable.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection. This means that it is a bacterial infection mostly spread by sexual contact. The skin or mucous can carry the infection. It first appears as a simple sore on the genital area or the mouth.  

Syphilis can be cured early on, but left untreated, it can lead to potential problems that can be life-threatening. 

Syphilis is common all over the world. It is also very prominent in southern areas of the United States. It is caused by the bacteria  Treponema pallidum.  It enters the mouth, skin, or anus during intimate contact. 

Syphilis forms a chancre sore at the initial site of the infection. Once the ulcer has formed, the bacteria spread throughout the body and lead to a rash.  

What are the signs of syphilis?

Initially, the signs of syphilis could be hard to notice. They come and go, and change over time. It can take up to 3 weeks for the symptoms to appear after you become infected.

Syphilis symptoms include:

  • Sores on the penis, vagina, anus, lips, or hands
  • Grey or white wart-like growths on the same areas
  • A non-itchy rash on the palms of the hand, or soles of the feet that can spread through the body
  • Flu-like symptoms (headache, fatigue, high temperature)
  • White patches in the mouth
  • Swollen glands

What are the four stages of syphilis?

Primary syphilis is stage 1. Usually, after 10 days to 3 months, painless ulcers appear. They can heal alone without treatment, but this does not mean you are syphilis-free.

Stage 2 is secondary syphilis. It begins 2 weeks to 6 months after the ulcer heals. Bacteria travel through the body and cause a rash. Flu-like symptoms may occur at this time. The symptoms can go away in 2 – 6 weeks, but you are still infected, and that is dangerous. 

Latent syphilis is stage 3 and this is when the infection “hides”. This stage is tricky because even though you are infected, you could go up to 20 years without any symptoms. You may have an occasional “flare-up” of symptoms, but that is more common in the first year of stage 3.

Late or tertiary syphilis is stage 4. One in every four people who don’t get treatment will get this type of syphilis, which can damage any organ in the body.

What are the risk factors for getting syphilis? 

You may be at risk for syphilis if:

  • Have several sex partners
  • Have unprotected sex
  • Are infected with HIV

You can get syphilis if any part of your body comes into contact with the ulcer or rash of someone with syphilis. This happens most often during sex.

How is syphilis diagnosed?

Syphilis can be diagnosed using samples of blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Blood tests can tell if antibodies are present that fight infection. Syphilis-causing bacteria triggers antibodies that can stay in your body for years. This helps the doctor to conclude if your infection is a current or past infection. If there is a suspected neuro complication from syphilis, the doctor may perform a lumbar puncture to sample your cerebrospinal fluid. 

If you are diagnosed with syphilis, your health department or the Center for Disease Control can help you get in touch with past sexual partners that can be infected. They can then be tested and treated to limit more spreading of the infection. 

Is syphilis curable?

Syphilis is totally curable. The first-choice treatment for syphilis is the antibiotic penicillin. Your antibiotic can be given as a capsule, tablet, or injection. Your doctor may choose to start your treatment even before your test results come back. The length of time needed to treat you depends on which stage of syphilis you are in. You should follow up with your doctor to make sure the disease is completely gone once treated. 

On the first day after treatment, you may experience a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction. This is a series of chills, nausea, aches, and fever that usually lasts no longer than a day.

What happens if syphilis is not treated?

Without treatment, syphilis can cause numerous complications in every system of the body. It can increase the risk of HIV infection and lead to problems during pregnancy. Treatment can stop further damages but cannot reverse damage that has already occurred. 

Bumps can develop on the bones, skin, liver, or other organs in late-stage syphilis. There are numerous neurological problems that syphilis can cause as well. These can include: 

Cardiovascular problems like swelling and bulging of the aorta can occur. Other blood vessels can sustain damage, and syphilis can also damage your heart valves. People with syphilis or any genital ulcer can have a risk of contracting HIV because the lesions bleed easily and allow a way for HIV to contaminate the bloodstream during sex. 

If you have syphilis and are pregnant, you can pass the bacteria on to your baby. This is called congenital syphilis and increases the risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, or premature death of your baby shortly after birth. A pregnant mom has to be treated with penicillin. 




QUESTION

Condoms are the best protection from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
See Answer

What can be done to prevent syphilis?

You can do many things to stay safe and decrease the risk of getting syphilis. Not having sex is the only guarantee of avoiding infections. If sexually active, you and your sexual partner should have a complete physical check-up. This is beneficial because you can test for numerous sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis, herpes, gonorrhea, genital warts, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.

Consider using a condom while engaging in vaginal or anal sex. Use the condom to cover the penis or a plastic dam to place over the vagina during oral sex. Bear in mind, though, that condoms will not completely stop the risk of infection. This is because they are not indestructible and do not cover rashes and ulcers on other parts of the body. 

Lastly, make sure you and your partner complete treatment and are deemed disease-free if you have previously had syphilis. 

Check Also

강남 셔츠룸 서울부장

강남 셔츠룸 매정한 나라에요 ㅋㅋㅋ 신규오픈 매장으로 설치 물품들이 많습니다. 역시 시부야 아니랄까봐 우리 나라 정서가 두 들겨야 흥이 더 나는듯 합니다. 아직 소버일때 우리 여자 예쁘니 직원들이랑 사진찍고 놀기  5~2배 정도 들었던것같아요 일환이었던 월성 원전 1호기 조기폐쇄에 대한 감사는 수위 조절이 실패해서 포기 햇엇드랫죠;; 대량 매출 가능한 입지라 확신합니다. 게임센터 규모도 장난 아니더라구요 차량…

Is Syphilis 100% Curable?

Once detected, syphilis can be treated. However, the damage already done by this disease may not be reversed. You can catch this disease again after being cured.
Once detected, syphilis can be treated. However, the damage already done by this disease may not be reversed. You can catch this disease again after being cured.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease. You can get infected by having unprotected sex with someone who has the infection. The infection can be spread by vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Although it is a sexually transmitted disease, syphilis spreads far beyond the genitals. It can affect several vital organs and make you very sick if not treated. Once detected, syphilis can be treated with a short course of antibiotics. However, the damage already done by this disease may not be reversed. You can catch this disease again after being cured.

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is caused by bacteria named Treponema pallidum. These bacteria can be passed from person to person during unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex. The infection is also spread by sharing sex toys or needles for injectable drug use. Blood transfusions can also spread syphilis. However, this is very rare now since all donated blood is tested before use. 

The disease can cause local symptoms in the beginning and spread all over the body later. It may also remain quiet for a long time.

Syphilis symptoms

Not all people with syphilis have symptoms. You may have such mild symptoms that you don't realize you're infected. This is a danger, as you might spread the disease to others. 

Syphilis is divided into stages. The first stage is primary syphilis. The chief symptom is a small, painless sore or ulcer called a chancre. It is usually on the penis or vagina, around the anus, or on the lips. You could have more than one chancre. This usually lasts for two to eight weeks.

Secondary syphilis happens if the first stage is not recognized and treated. There is a reddish rash on the body, often on the palms and soles. Small skin growths, like warts, appear around the genitals and anus. You may feel tired, have headaches and joint pains, and notice your hair falling out. You may have a high fever. 

These symptoms may subside when you are still infected. This is called the latent stage. It can last for years or decades and cause severe complications. These can include damage to the nerves, brain, eyes, and heart, and are called tertiary syphilis.




QUESTION

Condoms are the best protection from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
See Answer

Syphilis complications

Some important syphilis complications include: 

  • Meningitis: inflammation of the coverings of the brain
  • Strokes: paralysis of some parts of the body
  • Numbness of body parts because of nerve affection
  • Dementia: a loss of memory and thinking ability
  • Visual problems and blindness
  • Heart disease 
  • Destructive lesions of the bones and skin

Syphilis can be treated at any stage. The antibiotics are effective and will kill all syphilis bacteria. But any damage that has happened to the vital organs may remain. Treatment at early stages is best.

Syphilis in pregnancy

This is a dangerous situation. The syphilis bacteria can cross the placenta and infect the baby. 

The baby may look healthy at birth. But if treatment is not begun immediately, they may develop serious problems in a few weeks. 

All pregnant women are tested for syphilis, some more than once. If the test is positive, treatment with penicillin is begun immediately. It is 98% effective at preventing infection of the baby.

Latest Sexual Health News

Trending on MedicineNet

Treatment of syphilis

Syphilis must be treated, even if you have no symptoms. It does not go away on its own. If you are worried about having it, the best way to know is to have yourself tested. Your doctor may ask for various tests like darkfield microscopy, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or serological tests for syphilis.

Once they diagnose syphilis, your doctor will prescribe complete treatment. This will prevent the disease from creating serious problems later. Also, you won't spread the infection to others. The treatment of syphilis can be tablets or an injection. You will have to take the course of tablets for two to four weeks, depending on how long you have had syphilis.

Your doctor may offer you an injection of benzathine penicillin instead of pills. This is a long-acting form of the antibiotic, which maintains adequate levels in your body for several days. In the primary or secondary syphilis stages, a single injection, given in your muscle, will cure you completely. But if you are in the tertiary or latent stage, your doctor will advise three injections at weekly intervals.

If your brain, ears, or eyes are involved, long-acting penicillin injections are not used. They do not produce high enough concentrations in these organs to cure the infection. Your doctor will prescribe a short-acting form of penicillin, which has to be given as injections every four hours or a continuous infusion into your bloodstream.

If your brain or heart are involved, your doctor may prescribe steroids with the antibiotics.

You should inform your partner(s) if you have been diagnosed with syphilis. Their physician will test them and perhaps treat them regardless of test results, for safety. You should avoid sexual contact with new partners till your treatment is complete.

Is Syphilis 100% Curable?

Syphilis is a bacterial infection. The bacteria that cause syphilis are almost always sensitive to antibiotics. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate duration of treatment for your disease. The proper antibiotic treatment completely kills all the syphilis bacteria in your body. 

If syphilis is not detected in the early stages, it spreads to many organs and damages them. Some organs frequently damaged are the eyes, ears, heart, brain, nerves, and bones. These organs may not heal completely after syphilis is treated.

Conclusion

Syphilis is a dangerous sexually transmitted disease. It is one of the few bacteria that have not developed antibiotic resistance. That means it is easy to treat once detected. A proper course of treatment kills 100% of these bacteria. But the damage done to various organs before treatment may not be cured. 

Syphilis is best avoided by practicing safe sex. Use condoms when having vaginal, anal, or oral sex. A dental dam is a device to protect you during oral sex. Avoid sharing sex toys, or use a condom over them. If you use injectable drugs, don't share needles with others. These measures will protect you from other sexually transmitted diseases also. 

Check Also

The 13 Healthiest Root Vegetables: List of Veggies

Due to their rich vitamin content, polyphenols, and beneficial effects on health, these are the …

Is Syphilis 100% Curable?

Once detected, syphilis can be treated. However, the damage already done by this disease may not be reversed. You can catch this disease again after being cured.
Once detected, syphilis can be treated. However, the damage already done by this disease may not be reversed. You can catch this disease again after being cured.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease. You can get infected by having unprotected sex with someone who has the infection. The infection can be spread by vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Although it is a sexually transmitted disease, syphilis spreads far beyond the genitals. It can affect several vital organs and make you very sick if not treated. Once detected, syphilis can be treated with a short course of antibiotics. However, the damage already done by this disease may not be reversed. You can catch this disease again after being cured.

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is caused by bacteria named Treponema pallidum. These bacteria can be passed from person to person during unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex. The infection is also spread by sharing sex toys or needles for injectable drug use. Blood transfusions can also spread syphilis. However, this is very rare now since all donated blood is tested before use. 

The disease can cause local symptoms in the beginning and spread all over the body later. It may also remain quiet for a long time.

Syphilis symptoms

Not all people with syphilis have symptoms. You may have such mild symptoms that you don't realize you're infected. This is a danger, as you might spread the disease to others. 

Syphilis is divided into stages. The first stage is primary syphilis. The chief symptom is a small, painless sore or ulcer called a chancre. It is usually on the penis or vagina, around the anus, or on the lips. You could have more than one chancre. This usually lasts for two to eight weeks.

Secondary syphilis happens if the first stage is not recognized and treated. There is a reddish rash on the body, often on the palms and soles. Small skin growths, like warts, appear around the genitals and anus. You may feel tired, have headaches and joint pains, and notice your hair falling out. You may have a high fever. 

These symptoms may subside when you are still infected. This is called the latent stage. It can last for years or decades and cause severe complications. These can include damage to the nerves, brain, eyes, and heart, and are called tertiary syphilis.




QUESTION

Condoms are the best protection from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
See Answer

Syphilis complications

Some important syphilis complications include: 

  • Meningitis: inflammation of the coverings of the brain
  • Strokes: paralysis of some parts of the body
  • Numbness of body parts because of nerve affection
  • Dementia: a loss of memory and thinking ability
  • Visual problems and blindness
  • Heart disease 
  • Destructive lesions of the bones and skin

Syphilis can be treated at any stage. The antibiotics are effective and will kill all syphilis bacteria. But any damage that has happened to the vital organs may remain. Treatment at early stages is best.

Syphilis in pregnancy

This is a dangerous situation. The syphilis bacteria can cross the placenta and infect the baby. 

The baby may look healthy at birth. But if treatment is not begun immediately, they may develop serious problems in a few weeks. 

All pregnant women are tested for syphilis, some more than once. If the test is positive, treatment with penicillin is begun immediately. It is 98% effective at preventing infection of the baby.

Latest Sexual Health News

Trending on MedicineNet

Treatment of syphilis

Syphilis must be treated, even if you have no symptoms. It does not go away on its own. If you are worried about having it, the best way to know is to have yourself tested. Your doctor may ask for various tests like darkfield microscopy, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or serological tests for syphilis.

Once they diagnose syphilis, your doctor will prescribe complete treatment. This will prevent the disease from creating serious problems later. Also, you won't spread the infection to others. The treatment of syphilis can be tablets or an injection. You will have to take the course of tablets for two to four weeks, depending on how long you have had syphilis.

Your doctor may offer you an injection of benzathine penicillin instead of pills. This is a long-acting form of the antibiotic, which maintains adequate levels in your body for several days. In the primary or secondary syphilis stages, a single injection, given in your muscle, will cure you completely. But if you are in the tertiary or latent stage, your doctor will advise three injections at weekly intervals.

If your brain, ears, or eyes are involved, long-acting penicillin injections are not used. They do not produce high enough concentrations in these organs to cure the infection. Your doctor will prescribe a short-acting form of penicillin, which has to be given as injections every four hours or a continuous infusion into your bloodstream.

If your brain or heart are involved, your doctor may prescribe steroids with the antibiotics.

You should inform your partner(s) if you have been diagnosed with syphilis. Their physician will test them and perhaps treat them regardless of test results, for safety. You should avoid sexual contact with new partners till your treatment is complete.

Is Syphilis 100% Curable?

Syphilis is a bacterial infection. The bacteria that cause syphilis are almost always sensitive to antibiotics. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate duration of treatment for your disease. The proper antibiotic treatment completely kills all the syphilis bacteria in your body. 

If syphilis is not detected in the early stages, it spreads to many organs and damages them. Some organs frequently damaged are the eyes, ears, heart, brain, nerves, and bones. These organs may not heal completely after syphilis is treated.

Conclusion

Syphilis is a dangerous sexually transmitted disease. It is one of the few bacteria that have not developed antibiotic resistance. That means it is easy to treat once detected. A proper course of treatment kills 100% of these bacteria. But the damage done to various organs before treatment may not be cured. 

Syphilis is best avoided by practicing safe sex. Use condoms when having vaginal, anal, or oral sex. A dental dam is a device to protect you during oral sex. Avoid sharing sex toys, or use a condom over them. If you use injectable drugs, don't share needles with others. These measures will protect you from other sexually transmitted diseases also. 

Check Also

강남 셔츠룸 서울부장

강남 셔츠룸 매정한 나라에요 ㅋㅋㅋ 신규오픈 매장으로 설치 물품들이 많습니다. 역시 시부야 아니랄까봐 우리 나라 정서가 두 들겨야 흥이 더 나는듯 합니다. 아직 소버일때 우리 여자 예쁘니 직원들이랑 사진찍고 놀기  5~2배 정도 들었던것같아요 일환이었던 월성 원전 1호기 조기폐쇄에 대한 감사는 수위 조절이 실패해서 포기 햇엇드랫죠;; 대량 매출 가능한 입지라 확신합니다. 게임센터 규모도 장난 아니더라구요 차량…

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