Testing for syphilis is important because it spreads easily and can be fatal, but it can also be cured. Get screened for syphilis to take the first step in getting quick treatment.
What is syphilis?
Syphilis is classified as a sexually transmitted disease (STD) because it is most commonly transmitted through sexual contact. It is a bacteria that can cause serious health problems or even death if left untreated.
It lives in the body and has four (4) stages: primary, secondary, latent, and late. In its final stages, it can be fatal. Since it is a bacteria and not a virus, it can be cured with antibiotics in its early stages. Most doctors recommend penicillin. Other antibiotics may be prescribed for people allergic to penicillin. Testing a blood sample for syphilis is the only way to diagnose infection.
How is it transmitted?
Most commonly, it is passed from person to person through sexual contact. People get it by coming into direct contact with a syphilis sore during oral, vaginal, or anal sex. It can also be transmitted during kissing if contact is made with an open sore. These sores can be located on the penis or in the vagina, mouth, or anus.
Sex is not the only way to get this disease. A pregnant mother can pass it on to her children during childbirth and cause the children to become infected.
It is recommended that all sexually active people get tested for syphilis annually and with each new partner. It is also recommended that pregnant women get tested for syphilis during pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of syphilis?
Many times people with syphilis will show symptoms, but sometimes they will not. If there are symptoms, they will show up differently depending on the stage of infection.
1) Primary: This stage occurs approximately 3 weeks after infection. During this time, people can develop a small sore in the area where the bacteria entered the body. It can be located in or on the penis, vagina, anus, or mouth. Most people have only one sore, but it is possible to have several. It is usually painless and goes away in a few weeks. Many times it goes unnoticed.
2) Secondary: a few weeks after the first sore heals, a rash may appear. It begins in the center of the body (the area that covers the abdomen, sides, and back) and eventually spreads to the entire body, including the hands and feet. Sores may also appear in the mouth or genital area. The rash is usually not itchy and can also present with flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms can go away in a few weeks or they can come and go over the course of a year. Even if they go away, it is important to get tested for syphilis.
3) Latent – This is when the syphilis infection is not treated and the above symptoms disappear. The bacteria are still living and thriving in the body at this time and can lie dormant (showing no signs) for years.
4) Late – At this time, bacteria can eat into a person’s brain, organs, nerves, bones, and joints. This stage is when it becomes fatal.
This disease may or may not have indications. The syphilis test tells a person whether or not they are infected.
Who is at risk?
Anyone who is sexually active is at risk for any STD, including syphilis. Practicing abstinence (not having sex) is the only way to avoid this risk completely.
An easy way to reduce your risk is to use condoms correctly during every sexual encounter. However, while this may reduce your risk, depending on where it is located, sores caused by syphilis may not always be prevented by using a condom.
Research shows that those who have unprotected sex, those who have multiple partners, men who have sex with men (MSM), and those who are HIV positive are at higher risk. In contrast, getting syphilis also increases your risk of getting HIV. It’s smart to get tested for both.
Why is testing so important?
Syphilis testing is very important because when properly treated, it can be cured. If left untreated, it can cause death. Many times people do not know that they are infected. Symptoms may not be present or may be inadvertently ignored.
It is recommended that all sexually active people get tested for syphilis every year and with each new partner. Knowing your STD status and your partner’s STD status will help reduce the risk of spreading STDs.
Where can I get tested?
There are thousands of local STD testing centers throughout the United States that offer STD testing for chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and syphilis. Syphilis tests can be ordered alone. However, doctors recommend getting a full-panel STD test that includes them all.