Sooo…what’s syphilis anyways?

Syphilis is a bacterial infection. It develops in three stages and can be fatal if left untreated.Â

During the 19th century, an astounding number of people died of Syphilis. Syphilis had many alternate names, such as: Miss Siff, the Pox, as well as the "French disease" or the "English disease".

These days, Syphilis is rather rare, but there is a definite increase in recent years.

The first symptoms appear from 2 to 6 weeks after being infected.

How can syphilis be detected, treated and prevented?

Some people don’t show visible signs of the disease at the beginning.  .  The infection then proceeds in three stages.

1st Stage

During the first stage, a painful lesion, like an ulcer, appears where the bacteria penetrated the body.  This ulcer or sore is usually found around the mouth, in the genital area or around the anus. It is usually lasts for 1-3 weeks.

2nd Stage

• The second stage starts a few weeks to a few months after the first stage.
• During the second stage, changes appear on the skin, especially on the hands and feet (red spots).
• During this stage, the patient may have the following symptoms :
• Bouts of fever
• Headaches
• Pain in the bones
• Joint pain
• Sore throats
• Hard, swollen but painless lymph nodes
• This stage lasts a few weeks

• The third stage can develop often many years after the second stage
• During the third stage, the infection can cause cardiac disease, loss of vision, paralysis or brain damage.  The damages to the body does not heal.

A visit to the STD clinic or to the doctor’s office, where an examination and some tests will be done, is the only way to diagnose Syphillis.  Blood tests can detect Syphillis.  LINK WITH STI’SIf it happens to me, what do I do?

Antibiotics are given by injection and are effective, especially if the infection is discovered and treated early (during the 1st or 2nd stage).  Regular check-ups are needed after the treatment to make sure that the infection is gone.

It’s very important to inform your partner or partners, even if they show no symptoms they might be infected. This is an infection that have major health consequences and that should be treated early to avoid permanent damage.

Syphilis is very contagious during the first two stages.  A infected person can spread the infection even if there are no apparent symptoms.

Condom use is excellent to prevent Syphillis but is not effective 100% of the time.

What are the possible complications?

If syphilis isn’t treated, it can cause severe health problems in the third stage and it can even cause death.Â

Syphilis can be passed on to the baby from the mother at birth and cause severe malformations.

 

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Last modification: 2006-02-01