OVERCOMING SEXUAL HEALTH CHALLENGES:
What is Syphilis?
Syphilis is an STI that poses significant health risks if left untreated. The infection progresses through primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary stages, each with distinct signs and symptoms.
Syphilis is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person. Additionally, pregnant women with syphilis can pass the infection to their unborn babies.
It's essential to note that syphilis cannot be contracted through casual contact with inanimate objects such as toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils.
What are the signs and symptoms of Syphilis?
Syphilis progresses through four stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary), each with its own set of signs and symptoms.
Primary Stage:
In the primary stage, you may develop one or several painless sores in or around the genitals, anus, rectum, mouth, or lips. These sores usually heal within 3 to 6 weeks, but treatment is still necessary to prevent the infection from advancing.
Secondary Stage:
During the secondary stage, you may develop a skin rash, as well as sores in the mouth, vagina, or anus. The rash may appear on one or more parts of your body, including the palms of your hands or soles of your feet. Other symptoms may include fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, headaches, weight loss, and fatigue.
Latent Stage:
In the latent stage, there are no visible signs or symptoms, but the infection can remain in your body for years without treatment.
Tertiary Stage:
Tertiary syphilis is a rare but severe complication that can affect various organs, including the heart, blood vessels, brain, and nervous system. This stage can occur 10 to 30 years after the initial infection and can result in death.
Treatment and Diagnosis
Neurosyphilis, ocular syphilis, and otosyphilis are other complications that can occur during any stage of syphilis. Neurosyphilis can cause headaches, muscle weakness, and changes in mental state or dementia. Ocular syphilis can lead to eye pain, changes in vision, or blindness. Otosyphilis can cause hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness or vertigo.
Syphilis is usually diagnosed with a blood test or by testing fluid from a syphilis sore. Your healthcare provider can perform these tests to determine if you have syphilis.
Fortunately, syphilis is curable with appropriate antibiotics prescribed by your healthcare provider. However, it is important to note that treatment may not reverse any damage caused by the infection. Therefore, it is crucial to get tested and treated as soon as possible if you suspect you have syphilis.