Syphilis

Basic Facts

5 cases of syphilis were reported in Wyoming in 2007.

Syphilis caused by bacteria known as Treponema pallidum.

There are 3 stages of syphilis, wach stage with different symptoms and complications.

Syphilis is passed from person through direct contact with a syphilis sore.

Sores occur mainly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum. Sores can also occur on the lips and in the mouth.

Both males and females can pass syphilis to partners without knowing it.

If you are pregnant you can pass the infection to your baby if not treated.

Symptoms of syphilis include:

Primary Stage: Usually marked by the appearance of a single sore (called a chancre), but there may be multiple sores.  The time between infection with syphilis and the start of the first symptom can range from 10 to 90 days.  The chancre is usually firm, round, small, and painless.  It appears at the spot where syphilis entered the body.  The chancre lasts 3 to 6 weeks, and it heals without treatment.  However, if adequate treatment is not administered, the infection progresses to the secondary stage.

Secondary Stage: Skin rashes and mucous membrane lesions characterize the secondary stage.  This stage typically starts with the development of a rash on one or more areas of the body.  Sometimes rashes associated with secondary syphilis are so faint that they are not noticed.  Other symptoms may include fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue.

Late Stage: The latent (hidden) stage of syphilis begins when secondary symptoms disappear.  In the late stages of syphilis, it may damage the internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints.  Gradual blindness, paralysis, numbness, and dementia are also signs of late stage syphilis. This damage may be serious enough to cause death.

Genital sores (chancres) caused by syphilis make it easier to transmit and acquire HIV sexually.

Syphilis can be treated and cured with antibiotics.

If left untreated syphilis can lead to serious health problems, including pain, fever, and loss of life.

If you have untreated syphilis you have a higher chance of getting HIV if you have unprotected sex with an HIV-infected partner.

Transmission

Syphilis is passed from person to person through direct contact with a syphilis sore.  Sores occur mainly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum.  Sores can also occur on the lips and in the mouth.

Transmission of the organism occurs during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Pregnant women with the disease can pass it to the babies they are carrying.

Syphilis cannot be spread through contact with toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils.

Risk Factors

You can get syphilis from having unprotected (without a condom) vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has syphilis.

Syphilis can be passed from an infected mother to baby during childbirth.

All sexually active people are at risk for syphilis. All partners must be treated to decrease the risk of reinfection.

Prevention

Not having sex with anyone.

Get tested. Know your status and the status of your partner.

Having sex only with 1 partner who only has sex with you. People who have many sex partners are at higher risk of getting STDs.

Condoms, used the right way from start to finish each time you have sex may help provide protection.

Spermicidal foams, creams, jellies (and condoms coated with spermicide) may cause microscopic abrasions that make it easier to contract an STD. Spermicides are not recommended for routine use.

The most effective way to prevent a syphilis infection is to not have sex or have sex with someone you know is not infected (that has had a recent negative syphilis test).