SYPHILIS

General Information

DEFINITION--A contagious, sexually-transmitted disease that causes widespread tissue destruction. Syphilis is known as the "great mimic," because its symptoms resemble those of many other diseases.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Genitals; skin; central nervous system.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED

• Newborns (0 to 2 weeks) born to mothers with syphilis (congenital form).
• Persons of all ages and both sexes who have sexual contact (contagious form).

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

First stage (contagious; appears 3 to 6 days after contact):

• A painless, red sore (chancre) on the genitals, mouth or rectum. The sore usually affects the penis in males and vagina or cervix in females.

Second stage (contagious; begins 6 or more weeks after the chancre appears):

• Enlarged lymph glands in the neck, armpit or groin.
• Headache.
• Rash on skin and mucous membranes of the penis, vagina or mouth. The rash has small, red, scaly bumps.
• Fever (sometimes).

Third stage (non-contagious; may appear years after the first and second stages):

• Mental deterioration.
• Sexual impotence.
• Loss of balance.
• Loss of feeling or shooting pains in the legs.
• Heart disease.

CAUSES--

The infecting germ for both forms is Treponema pallidum.

• The congenital form is spread to the fetus through the bloodstream.
• The contagious form is spread by intimate sexual contact with someone who has syphilis in the first or second stages.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Many sexual partners.
• Male-to-male sexual activity.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Obtain blood serum test for syphilis early in pregnancy. If infected, consult your doctor immediately for treatment.
• Use latex condoms during intercourse.
• Avoid any sexual contact if you suspect a partner is infectious.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory studies, such as a blood serum test for syphilis, a microscopic exam of discharge from the chancre and a study of spinal fluid. Tests are repeated after treatment.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE--Doctor's treatment.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Widespread tissue destruction and death without treatment.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Usually curable in 3 months with treatment. In spite of treatment, syphilis returns within 1 year in 10% of patients. If this happens, re-treatment is necessary.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Ensure that all your sexual partners obtain treatment. The public health department will work with you to notify contacts confidentially and help them obtain treatment.
• After treatment, have blood studies done each month for 6 months to check for recurrence. Then repeat blood studies every 3 months for 2 years.
• See Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Resources for Additional Information.

MEDICATION--Your doctor will probably prescribe:

• Penicillin by injection unless you are allergic to it. If penicillin cannot be used, other antibiotics can be equally as effective.
• Topical medications as needed for skin symptoms.

ACTIVITY--Avoid sexual intercourse for at least 2 months after treatment begins. Then use latex condoms during sexual intercourse.

DIET--No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of syphilis.
• The following occurs during or after treatment: Fever. Skin rash, sore throat or swelling in any joint, such as the ankle or knee.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
• You once had syphilis and have not had a medical checkup in the past year.
• You have had sexual contact with someone who has syphilis.