Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns of SyphilisDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Signs of Syphilis
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Syphilis is typically transmitted via direct contact with a syphilitic sore, also called a chancre. Chancres are usually located on the genitals, vagina, anus, rectum, lips, and mouth.
Syphilis cases have steadily climbed since the lowest reported number of new cases in 2000, with 134,000 new cases reported in 2020.
Without treatment, syphilis can progress through different stages and cause significant health problems. Untreated, the person infected with syphilis remains contagious and can infect other people.
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Syphilis symptomsdepend on the stage the infected person is in. Syphilis is associated with four stages:
How Syphilis Is Diagnosed
Treatment is based on the age of the person infected with syphilis and the stage of syphilis.
How Syphilis Is Treated
Summary
The primary stage begins with a painless syphilis sore, known as a chancre, at the entry point of the syphilis bacterium and is most often located in the mouth, throat, vagina, or anus. Syphilis will progress through secondary, latent, and tertiary stages if not treated. A person remains contagious and can continue to spread syphilis until treatment is complete, even if they don’t show symptoms.
Syphilis is diagnosed through a blood test and is treated mostly with penicillin, a type of antibiotic. Even in the tertiary stage, treatment can stop disease progression, although it might not repair damage already done.
A Word From Verywell
Receiving a sexually transmitted disease diagnosis can generate anxiety, concern, and fear. It is important to work collaboratively with your healthcare professional to receive proper treatment for yourself and your sexual partners. It is important to understand what syphilis is, how the disease progresses, and the available treatment options, as well as how to protect yourself during sexual activity to avoid reinfection.
Some people infected with syphilis might only have one chancre, while others might have several. Even when the chancre resolves (often within three to six weeks), the person infected with syphilis remains contagious.
The rash associated with syphilis typically appears during the secondary stage. The rash can appear as a chancre or chancres from the primary stage are healing, although it usually appears several weeks after the chancres have healed.The rash usually appears on the palms of the hands and/or the soles of the feet. The rash is usually not itchy and is often rough and red/reddish-brown in coloration.
The rash associated with syphilis typically appears during the secondary stage. The rash can appear as a chancre or chancres from the primary stage are healing, although it usually appears several weeks after the chancres have healed.
The rash usually appears on the palms of the hands and/or the soles of the feet. The rash is usually not itchy and is often rough and red/reddish-brown in coloration.
Syphilis sores are often painless. Chancres are usually firm and round and located at the entry point where the syphilis bacterium entered the body, often on the mouth, throat, vagina, or anus. The size of the chancre can vary from a few millimeters to a couple of centimeters.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Syphilis. Updated May 2022.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis. Updated April 12, 2022.American Academy of Dermatology.Syphilis. Updated September 11, 2018.Little JW, Falace DA, Miller CS, Rhodus NL. Sexually transmitted diseases. In:Little and Falace’s Dental Management of the Medically Compromised Patient.Elsevier; 2013:200-217.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Syphilis. Updated May 2022.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis. Updated April 12, 2022.American Academy of Dermatology.Syphilis. Updated September 11, 2018.Little JW, Falace DA, Miller CS, Rhodus NL. Sexually transmitted diseases. In:Little and Falace’s Dental Management of the Medically Compromised Patient.Elsevier; 2013:200-217.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Syphilis. Updated May 2022.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis. Updated April 12, 2022.American Academy of Dermatology.Syphilis. Updated September 11, 2018.Little JW, Falace DA, Miller CS, Rhodus NL. Sexually transmitted diseases. In:Little and Falace’s Dental Management of the Medically Compromised Patient.Elsevier; 2013:200-217.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Syphilis. Updated May 2022.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis. Updated April 12, 2022.
American Academy of Dermatology.Syphilis. Updated September 11, 2018.
Little JW, Falace DA, Miller CS, Rhodus NL. Sexually transmitted diseases. In:Little and Falace’s Dental Management of the Medically Compromised Patient.Elsevier; 2013:200-217.
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