The Basics
Syphilis
What is syphilis? Learn how to prevent, manage, and treat syphilis with safe practices, lifestyle, and medicine.
Medically Reviewed By:
Dr. George Abraham
Last Updated:
December 3rd, 2022
What is Syphilis?
Syphilis is a common Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). If untreated, syphilis progresses through multiple stages and causes serious health problems. Doctors can treat syphilis with medication.
Stages and Symptoms
Primary Stage
Syphilis begins with a single sore, called a chancre (pronounced SHANG-kur), that’s usually small and painless. A chancre might be on or near the
Penis
Vagina
Anus
Rectum
Lips
Inside of the Mouth
The sore heals in 3-6 weeks, even if you do not receive treatment. But, the disease isn’t gone, and you need treatment. Treatment stops syphilis from progressing to the next stage.
Secondary Stage
You may have rough, red/reddish-brown rashes on your palms and soles of your feet; sores on your mouth, vagina, or anus. And, you may notice more symptoms:
Fever
Feeling tired
Sore throat
Swollen lymph nodes
Weight loss
Hair loss
Muscle aches
These symptoms get better, even if you do not receive treatment. But, you need treatment because the disease is still present, and treatment stops syphilis from progressing to the next stage.
Latent Syphilis
There are no symptoms in latent syphilis. But the syphilis bacteria still live in your body. This stage can last for years. Latent syphilis within the first year of infection is called Early Latent Syphilis, and you can still spread the disease. After the first year of infection, latent syphilis is called late latent syphilis.
Tertiary Syphilis
Tertiary syphilis is rare: most people with syphilis never develop the tertiary stage. The tertiary stage can appear 10-30 years after your first infection. Tertiary syphilis harms your heart, blood vessels, brain, and nervous system, and it can cause death.
Complications
Untreated syphilis can spread to eyes (ocular syphilis), ears (otosyphilis), and the brain and nervous system (neurosyphilis).
Eyes (Ocular Syphilis)
Ocular Syphilis can cause:
pain and redness in your eyes
sensitivity to light
floating spots in your vision
Blurry vision
Ocular syphilis can progress to even cause blindness.
Ears (Otosyphilis)
Otosyphilis can cause:
ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
dizziness and head spinning (vertigo)
Otosyphilis can progress to even cause hearing loss.
Brain (Neurosyphilis)
Neurosyphilis can cause:
Headache
Trouble moving
Weakness
Numbness
Trouble focusing, thinking, remembering, and making decisions
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant and have syphilis, the disease could spread to your baby. This could cause problems with the baby’s birth or health. Get tested for syphilis during your pregnancy. And if you test positive, get treatment right away.
Getting Tested—Do You Have Syphilis?
Anyone who is sexually active can have syphilis. If you notice symptoms, stop having sex and see your healthcare provider (doctor, clinic, hospital). Or, if your recent sexual partner is diagnosed with syphilis, stop having sex and see your healthcare provider.
You cannot diagnose syphilis with symptoms alone. Some people do not get rashes and sores; or, the rashes and sores could be caused by a different disease. That’s why you have to get tested.
Sexually active people should get tested every year if they:
Are a gay or bisexual man
Have HIV
Take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention
Have sexual partners who have had syphilis before
Your doctor may test you for syphilis using a blood test or using fluid from a syphilis sore.
Testing Positive for an STI: What to Do
There are 4 steps everyone should take after testing positive for an STI, like syphilis.
Stop Having Sex
Doctors can treat STIs with just medicine or an injection (‘shot’). But if untreated, syphilis can spread and cause severe problems. Keep seeing your doctor.
See Your Doctor
Doctors can treat STIs with just medicine or an injection (‘shot’). But if untreated, syphilis can spread and cause severe problems. Keep seeing your doctor.
Get Tested for Other STIs
STIs often come in groups. If you have syphilis, you’re at risk for other STIs. Get tested.
Tell Your Partner
If you are diagnosed with an STI, you should tell your recent sexual partners. This protects your partners’ health because they can get tested and treated.
Partner Services
Talking to your partner about your STI can be hard. If you want to stay anonymous, you can ask your health department or doctor to tell your partner, without mentioning your name.
Or, you can ask a Partner Services Representative to be with you and provide support while you tell your partner.
Treatment: How to Feel Better
Medication: Antibiotics
Syphilis can be treated with medication from your doctor. The treatment stops any progression But the treatment might not cure the damage on your skin and organs. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor early if you see signs of syphilis.
Use Antibiotics the Right Way
Remember to take antibiotics exactly how your healthcare professional tells you. You may feel better in 1 to 2 days. Don’t stop antibiotics because you’re feeling better. You need to finish taking the antibiotics so you don’t get sick again.
Transmission: Protecting Family and Friends
Syphilis spreads by touching a chancre of someone with syphilis. This often happens during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Pregnant people can transfer syphilis to their child during pregnancy. You can get syphilis again, even if you have been infected before and received treatment.
The best way to avoid syphilis and protect your partners is to not have sex. But, when you do have sex, use safe sexual practices around STIs:
Safe Sexual Practices Around STIs
Protect
Using condoms can cover syphilis sores and prevent spread. But syphilis can spread from sores in other parts of the body.
Test
Make sure you and your partner are tested for STIs before having sex. If you are diagnosed with an STI, tell your partner.
Wait
Do not have sex until you have finished your STI treatment.
Learn More
You can trust these sites to learn more about Syphilis.