What is it?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a kind of bacteria.
How is it spread?
Syphilis is usually spread through sex with an infected person. It is spread by direct contact with the syphilis sores, rashes or body fluids such as semen, blood or vaginal fluid. Drug users who shoot up and share needles are also at risk of getting syphilis because of the blood in the needles. A pregnant woman with untreated syphilis can give the infection to her baby before birth.
What are the symptoms?
Many people who have syphilis have no symptoms. They can unknowingly pass the infection on to their sexual partner(s).
When the bacteria enter the body, the disease goes through a few stages. Symptoms may show up 10-90 days after sexual contact with an infected person.
In the first or primary stage, a painless sore called a chancre may appear on the genitals or at the site where the bacteria entered the body. Even without treatment, the sore may disappear but the bacteria remain inside the body.
The secondary stage usually occurs four to ten weeks after the chancre appears. At this stage, a rash may appear on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or on any part of the body. In some cases, there is patchy hair loss, muscle and joint pain, or swollen glands. Again these symptoms may disappear without treatment.
The late stage of syphilis occurs after two years. There are usually no symptoms. However, the bacteria may be attacking the organs inside the body.
How is it diagnosed?
Syphilis can be diagnosed by a physical examination, specific blood and laboratory tests, and a medical history. If you have contracted syphilis recently, it may take two to 12 weeks for the infection to show up in the blood.
What are the complications?
When syphilis is not treated, the bacteria can damage the nerves, heart and brain. If an infected pregnant woman is not treated, her baby may be born dead or with birth defects.
How is it treated?
Syphilis can be cured. It is easily treated with penicillin injections or antibiotic pills. It is very important to complete the treatment prescribed by your doctor or the clinic.
Sometimes, you may have a fever after a penicillin injection. You may take acetaminophen to treat the fever.
What about sexual partners?
It is important that all sexual and needle-sharing partners be checked, tested and treated if needed.
In the primary stage, partners within the last three months before the onset of symptoms should be informed. In the secondary stage, all partners within the past six months should be informed. In the latest stage, all recent and past partners should be informed.
Your public health nurse can help you to notify your partner(s). Your name will be kept confidential.
Is follow-up important?
Follow–up blood tests for syphilis are extremely important. The results of these blood tests will show if your treatment is adequate or if you need further treatment. Your doctor and clinic will let you know when to return for the blood tests. Your blood test may remain positive after adequate treatment, but it does not mean you still have an active infection. Your doctor, clinic or public health nurse can explain your blood test results to you.
Remember:
Complete treatment as prescribed by your doctor or clinic.
Avoid oral, vaginal or anal sex, or any direct contact with the chancre or rashes until two weeks after treatment.
You can get reinfected every time you have sex with an untreated partner.
Do not share needles.
Pregnant women should have a blood test for syphilis.
Use condoms to lower the chance of getting STIs and to prevent pregnancy.
It is possible to have more than one infection at a time, so it is important to be tested for other STI’s.
If you have more questions, contact Public Health Clinic Services at 519-355-1071 ext. 5901.
For more information contact Public Health Clinic Services at 519-355-1071 ext. 5901 or online at CKhealth@chatham-kent.ca
Adapted with permission from Elgin – St. Thomas Health Unit.