Syphilis

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Syphilis?

Syphilis has 3 stages that are based on signs and symptoms. Each stage of syphilis affects different parts of the body.

Stage 1:  Primary

• One or more red sores (chancres) appear. They’re usually round, firm, and painless. They can appear on or inside the penis, vagina, anus, rectum, lips, or mouth.
• The sores may heal and go away after 3 to 6 weeks, even without treatment.
• Even if the sores go away, syphilis is still in your body. Treatment is needed to keep the infection from getting worse.

Stage 2:  Secondary

• Symptoms usually begin weeks to months after a chancre appears or heals.
• Common symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, skin rash (often on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet), muscle aches, weight loss, loss of appetite, patchy hair loss, or swollen lymph nodes.

Stage 3:  Late (tertiary)

• This stage can happen if syphilis is not treated. It can lead to organ damage, serious health problems, or death.
• Symptoms may include problems with vision, hearing, walking, memory, balance, thinking, or bladder control.

How Is Syphilis Diagnosed?

Syphilis is diagnosed through a blood test. You should be tested for syphilis before you’re treated. See your doctor or health care provider if you:

• Think you have syphilis.
• Had sex with someone who has syphilis (even if you don’t have symptoms).
• Have a new partner or more than one partner. You may need to be tested regularly at your yearly checkup.

At your visit, tell your doctor or health care provider if there’s any chance you may be pregnant. You may also be tested for other STIs using one or more of these tests:

• Pee (urine) sample
• Throat (pharyngeal) swab
• Vaginal swab
• Rectal swab

How Is Syphilis Treated?

• Treatment for early infections is usually 1 antibiotic injection (shot).
  • You may need more than 1 shot depending on how long you’ve had the infection.
  • Sometimes, syphilis can be treated with antibiotic pills that you take each day for 14 to 28 days.
• Blood tests need to be done 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Keep all follow-up appointments to make sure the infection is gone.
• You and your partner(s) can be treated at:
  • Nationwide Children’s Hospital – call Central Scheduling at (614) 722-6200
  • Columbus Public Health – 240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215; call (614) 645-7774.
  • If you or your partner(s) live outside of Columbus, call your local health department.
    
    

Preventing Future Infection

Not having sex (abstinence) is the best way to prevent STIs and HIV. If you do have sex, these things may help prevent the spread of STIs:

• Limit your number of sexual partners and know their sexual history.
• Use a new condom each time you have sex, for the whole time you have sex.
• Keep an extra condom with you in case the one you're using breaks.
• Get tested for other STIs and HIV. Syphilis can increase your risk for other infections.

More Information

• Talk with your primary care doctor about STIs and routine testing.
• Adolescent Medicine Clinic - (614) 722-2450
• AwkTalk™ 
• American Sexual Health Association (ASHA)

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