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What is it?

Syphilis is a serious sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. The first sign is a painless sore (ulcer) where the bacteria entered the body. Many people, especially women, do not notice the sore so don’t even know that they have been infected. The second stage is a body rash, which may come weeks later. Not everyone will get the rash. If left untreated, syphilis can affect the whole body including the brain.

Syphilis is a reportable disease and must be reported to the Health Department.

How is it spread?

Syphilis is spread by direct contact with the sores, rash or body fluids (saliva, semen, blood, vaginal secretions) of an infected person. Sexually, it is spread by having genital, anal, or oral sex with an infected person. Pregnant women with syphilis can give the disease to their unborn children. Syphilis can also cause birth defects. Doctors usually do a syphilis test on every pregnant woman at their first prenatal visit.

What do I look for?

Syphilis symptoms often go away in 6 months even with no treatment. But the bacteria can still damage your body and you are still able to spread the disease through sexual contact. Years later syphilis can enter its third stage, causing heart disease, brain damage or death. Early treatment can protect against this. People with genital sores caused by syphilis have a greater chance of getting infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Syphilis is often much more severe and develops rapidly in people co-infected with HIV.

How is it treated?

Syphilis is treated with antibiotics, usually penicillin. The course of treatment depends on the stage of infection. Penicillin is given by an injection into the muscle. A one-time injection or a weekly injection over a period of 3 weeks is required depending on the stage of the infection, determined by your physician or health care provider. It is very important to complete treatment exactly as prescribed.

How can I protect myself?

You can give syphilis to other people, mainly your sex partners. Without treatment you can infect others. Since many people who have syphilis do not notice any symptoms, it is important that your past sex partners be informed so they can be treated. You may have to inform partners from as long as two years ago depending on the stage of syphilis. If you prefer, a nurse from the Health Department can contact your partner(s). Your name will be kept confidential.

You should return to your doctor for a follow-up visit to be sure your infection has been cured. You can have sex again when you and all partners have finished treatment and your doctor/health care provider says you are no longer infectious.

• Ensure you receive all of prescribed treatment from your physician/health care provider
• Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while being treated with antibiotics
• Return for follow-up and blood tests as your doctor requests
• Tell every person you have had sex with in the past 2 years that they may be infected and should be examined and, if needed, treated
• Use condoms with lubricant to lower the chance of infections in the future

January 2, 2007