Syphilis

Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects all genders. Syphilis is a bacterial infection, that is curable with antibiotics. It spreads through sexual skin/skin contact with infected skin,  via oral, vaginal or anal sex. Syphilis is divided into three stages.

Symptoms

Stage 1: The symptoms will go away, whether or not you receive treatment. Without the right treatment, the infection will move to the second stage of syphilis.

• The first symptom is a small, pain-free sore. Oftentimes, it may look like an ingrown hair or small sore. It can be on the vagina, penis, anus, rectum, lips or mouth. The sore, if untreated will go away.

Stage 2: The symptoms from this stage will go away whether or not you receive treatment. Without the right treatment, the infection will move to the latent and possibly late stages of syphilis.

• A pain-free rash on the palms of hands, back or soles of feet. Other symptoms you may have can include
• fever
• swollen lymph glands
• sore throat
• patchy hair loss
• headaches
• weight loss,
• muscle aches
• fatigue (feeling very tired).

The late stage of syphilis is when all other symptoms have disappeared, the bacteria is still in your body. It may take 3-10 years for latent syphilis to appear.

• It can cause blindness
• Affect muscle movement
• Affect internal organs
• Cause death.

What Are The Health Problems Associated With Syphilis?

• If left untreated, syphilis can cause lasting permanent injury.
• Latent, the third stage of syphilis, may cause permanent blindness, injury to internal organs, brain damage or death.
• Syphilis can be passed from mother to infant.
• Because a syphilis sore may be hard to see, a person may not know they have the infection, and can easily pass it to others.