Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by direct contact with syphilitic sores during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Sores can appear anywhere on the body but are usually painless.
What are the symptoms?
Painless sores lasting 3 to 6 weeks, usually on vulva or penis. During secondary stage people can develop skin rashes on the body, including their hands and feet, sores in the vagina, or anus; sore throat, weight loss, and headache and muscle pains. During the third stage people can develop damage to the nervous system, heart, and brain.
How do I get tested?
How do I get treated?
Antibiotics for patients and their partners.
What if I don’t treat it?
It can lead to skin, bone, heart, brain disease, and blindness.
How can I prevent it?
Know if your partner is infected before having sex. Abstinence is the only way to prevent it 100%. Condoms can protect you only if they cover the sore, but sores can appear anywhere in the body not covered by a condom.