| Disease
Fact Sheet Series:
What is syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted
disease (STD) caused by a corkscrew-shaped bacteria called Treponema
pallidum. The number of Syphilis cases in Wisconsin have been
decreasing, yet syphilis prevention remains an important objective because
of the serious consequences of untreated or inadequately treated syphilis
and its role as a potential risk factor for HIV infection and
transmission. Wisconsin is currently involved in the National Plan to
Eliminate Syphilis.
Who gets syphilis?
Anyone who is sexually active can
get syphilis, but those at greater risk include:
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Persons diagnosed with any STD
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Persons with a sex partner diagnosed with any STD
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Persons with more than one sex partner
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Persons with a new sex partner
-
Persons who exchange sex for money or drugs
How is syphilis spread?
Syphilis is spread directly from
person to person by direct contact with an infectious lesion. That contact
can be genital intercourse, oral intercourse, or anal intercourse. The
bacteria pass through intact mucous membranes and abraded skin; they are
then carried by the blood stream to every organ in the body. Babies can
also get syphilis from their mothers if the mothers are infected during
pregnancy.
What are the signs and symptoms of syphilis?
The course of syphilis is divided
into three stages, each with different signs and symptoms.
-
Primary syphilis is the most infectious stage of the
disease. The first sign is the chancre, or lesion. It is usually
a single, painless ulcer and develops at the original site of infection
(skin or mucous membranes) about 3 weeks after inoculation. It is highly
infectious and goes away without treatment in 1 to 5 weeks (3 weeks
average).
-
Secondary syphilis symptoms vary greatly in appearance and
may or may not be noticeable. Secondary symptoms may last 2 to 6 weeks
(4 weeks average) and may recur. Some of the most common signs and
symptoms include:
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General body rash
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Rash on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet
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White (mucous) patches in mouth or genital area
(highly infectious)
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Temporary loss of patches of hair
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Wet, raised, wart-like growths often in the genital area (highly
infectious)
-
Nickel/dime sized lesions (often on face)
-
Malaise (a tired, listless feeling)
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Latent syphilis is the stage in which no observable clinical
signs or symptoms are present to suggest infection, yet serologic tests
for syphilis (STS) are reactive.
All cases of syphilis are latent at some time during
the course of an untreated infection.
How long can a
person have this infection?
Syphilis infection can persist for
many years even when it is not a symptomatic infection. During this time,
damage can occur to many organ systems in the body and the infection may
be transmitted to sex partners.
Does past infection with syphilis make a person immune?
No. Reinfection with Treponema pallidum, the bacteria that causes syphilis, can occur any time a
person is re-exposed.
What is the treatment for syphilis?
Antibiotics such as a single
penicillin injection may be prescribed to treat syphilis of less than one
years’ duration. For infections that have remained untreated for over a
year, or for pregnant women with syphilis, one injection weekly for three
weeks (total of three shots) may be prescribed.
What would happen if I had syphilis and didn’t get
treatment?
In untreated syphilis, signs and
symptoms range from inapparent to symptoms that indicate severe damage to
one or more organ systems in the body including:
-
Brain and nervous system
-
Heart and circulatory system
-
Destructive lesions (gummas) in the skin, bones, brain, or
internal organs
Untreated syphilis during pregnancy can lead to
miscarriage, stillbirth, and single or multiple organ system
manifestations of illness that appear as the child grows. Syphilis can
be cured at any stage of infection, but damage that has already
occurred cannot be repaired.
How can I avoid exposure to this infection?
If you don’t have a mutually
monogamous, steady, or lifelong sex partner, using a condom correctly and
consistently can help protect you from exposure to syphilis and other
sexually transmitted diseases.
What should I do if I think I have this infection?
A blood test for syphilis that
gives accurate, quick results is available at your doctor’s office,
family planning clinics and STD clinics. Early diagnosis and treatment are
necessary to avoid the serious complications and spread of this disease.
If you test positive, all of your sex partner(s) of up to the past 12
months should be notified, tested and treated for syphilis, even if they
have no symptoms. Public health professionals at your local health
department can help you with this task. If your sex partners have the
infection and they are not treated, you could get the infection
again if you have sex again with the same partners.
If I have syphilis, can I have other STDs as well?
It is possible to have more than
one STD at a time. Different STDs are spread in the same manner through
sexual contact (oral, anal, vaginal and penile). In addition, an infection
with syphilis can increase your chances of acquiring HIV infection. It is
important to visit your doctor’s office or clinic to be examined and
tested for STDs as soon as you notice any unusual signs or symptoms or are
aware of sexual exposure to someone with an STD.
For more information, contact your
Local
Public Health Department
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Last Revised: February 13, 2009
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