The words may have surprised you; it’s normal to feel worried about the future, and concerned about partners you’ve been sexually active with. You may even feel a bit embarrassed that you’ve contracted syphilis, but its diagnosis is not a life sentence. It’s very important that you be re-tested to verify the diagnosis. As with all STDs, syphilis may be misdiagnosed so a second test is required. Here’s what you need to know about a syphilis diagnosis:
Syphilis defined
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium treponema pallidum bacteria. Pregnant women can pass syphilis on to their developing fetuses. Syphilis is completely curable with early antibiotic treatment under a physician’s supervision. If you suspect that you or your partner are experiencing signs or symptoms of syphilis, you both should get tested immediately.
Know the signs
The symptoms of syphilis are odd. Some patients do not exhibit all symptoms, which makes it hard to diagnose. Symptoms may begin anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months after exposure to the bacteria and can last anywhere between 3-6 weeks. This first stage of the infection may appear as a sore, or sores, also called chancres, in the genital areas and rectum of men and women. They can be either closed bumps or open sores. Open sores are super contagious to sexual partners.
Sores may disappear without treatment, but syphilis is still in your system and will not be cured until treated with the appropriate antibiotic. In the second stage, patients may experience a secondary rash that appears as small bumps on the soles of the feet, palms of the hand and other parts of the body. They don’t usually itch and can last 2-6 weeks, go away and return many times. Patients often complain of flu-like symptoms of fever, sore throat, head and muscle aches, swollen glands and fatigue. Some experience hair loss and unexplained weight loss.
If left untreated, syphilis can cause damage to the nervous system, including paralysis. It may also cause blindness, tumors, and damage to other organs. If left untreated, damage caused by syphilis can not be undone, and death can result.
Treatment
If you’ve been diagnosed with syphilis in its earliest stages, it’s very easy to treat. Antibiotics are the only medications necessary to cure the infection. Typically, it’s penicillin, but many people are allergic to penicillin and it’s important for your physician to know this prior to prescribing a treatment regimen for you.
Both you and your partner should undergo treatment to prevent its return. It’s super important to follow doctors’ orders completely to make sure treatment is effective. Abstain from sexual contact of any kind until you and your partner have completed all prescribed medications and all sores have disappeared and don’t share medication. You each must take the full course prescribed.
Syphilis is not a one-and-done infection. You can contract syphilis many times if you aren’t careful. While curable, no preventive pharmaceutical exists to date. At Infections Managed our physicians and caring staff are here to help you from diagnosis to end of treatment and beyond. Call us today at 954-776-9992 to schedule your appointment.