Syphilis

Syphilis is a highly contagious STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) that is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.

Symptoms:

As with all STIs, symptoms may not be present, but you or your partner may still be infected and infecting others. Syphilis advances in three stages.

Primary Stage:

One or more sores called chancres appear. These usually go away within a few weeks, but if it remains untreated it will move to the secondary phase.

Secondary Stage:

This stage usually begins with a rash on one or more area of the body. The characteristic rash is found on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet, but the rash may appear anywhere. Other symptoms include fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue. These symptoms will go away but if left untreated the infection will move to the third phase.

Late Stage:

The latent (hidden) stage of syphilis begins when secondary symptoms disappear. Without treatment, the infected person will continue to have syphilis even though there are no signs or symptoms; infection remains in the body. In the late stages of syphilis, it may subsequently damage the internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints. This internal damage may show up many years later. Signs and symptoms of the late stage of syphilis include difficulty coordinating muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness, and dementia. This damage may be serious enough to cause death.

How it is Spread:

Through anal, oral, vaginal sex.

Side Effects:

The syphilis bacterium can infect the baby of a woman during her pregnancy. Infected women have a high risk of having a stillbirth (a baby born dead) or of giving birth to a baby who dies shortly after birth. An infected baby may be born without signs or symptoms of disease. However, if not treated immediately, the baby may develop serious problems within a few weeks. Untreated babies may become developmentally delayed, have seizures, or die.

Syphilis also greatly increases the risk of transmitting and acquiring HIV.

Treatment:

Treatment is available for those in the early stages of syphilis, but it cannot repair any of the damage already done.

How to Avoid:

Abstinence until a single, life-long, committed, and monogamous relationship is the only sure way to avoid being infected. If you are married, stay faithful. If you are sexually active, stop and get tested.

Sources:
Center of Disease Control and Prevention
The Medical Institute