Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEarly SymptomsSoresRashDiagnosisTreatmentFAQs
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Early Symptoms
Sores
Rash
Diagnosis
Treatment
FAQs
Syphilisis a sexually transmitted infection that can spread through intimate contact, such as sex.
Learn more about the symptoms of syphilis in people with penises, syphilis sores, diagnosis, treatment, how to tell a partner, and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Early Symptoms of Syphilis in People With a Penis
Syphilis in the earliest stage, called primary syphilis, typically appears as a sore or multiple sores on the skin.
These sores are often (but not always) painless and may be round and firm.
These sores are found on areas of the body where syphilis has entered. In people with penises, this may include on or around the:
Other symptoms that may occur in this stage include:
When to See a Healthcare ProviderIf you have symptoms that could indicate syphilis, you should contact your healthcare provider.You should also call a healthcare provider if you engage in high-risk sexual behavior like having multiple or unknown sexual partners.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you have symptoms that could indicate syphilis, you should contact your healthcare provider.You should also call a healthcare provider if you engage in high-risk sexual behavior like having multiple or unknown sexual partners.
If you have symptoms that could indicate syphilis, you should contact your healthcare provider.
You should also call a healthcare provider if you engage in high-risk sexual behavior like having multiple or unknown sexual partners.
In latent-stage syphilis, there are typically no visible signs.
Tertiary-stage syphilis, which is rare, may affect organ systems, even causing death. The organs affected include:
This is a very serious stage and can occur about 10–30 years after the infection begins.
Without treatment, syphilis can also spread to the nervous system (neurosyphilis), the eye (ocular syphilis), or the ear (otosyphilis). This can occur during any of the stages listed above.
What Do Syphilis Sores Look Like?
Sometimes syphilis sores go unnoticed due to their location, particularly in hard-to-see places like the anus.
Typically, the sores are round and firm.
What Does Syphilis Rash Look Like?
In secondary syphilis, a rash may appear on the skin. This most commonly appears on the palms or the soles of the feet.
The rash typically doesn’t itch and is sometimes faint enough to escape notice. Otherwise, a rash may have a red or brown color and a rough-looking texture.
How Contagious Is Syphilis?Syphilis is highly contagious, particularly when syphilis sores or a rash are present. But even people without sores or a rash can spread syphilis.The infection is spread from intimate physical contact, like during sex. It may also be passed from a pregnant person to the developing fetus.In the United States, it is most common among gay men, bisexual men, and men who have sex with men.
How Contagious Is Syphilis?
Syphilis is highly contagious, particularly when syphilis sores or a rash are present. But even people without sores or a rash can spread syphilis.The infection is spread from intimate physical contact, like during sex. It may also be passed from a pregnant person to the developing fetus.In the United States, it is most common among gay men, bisexual men, and men who have sex with men.
Syphilis is highly contagious, particularly when syphilis sores or a rash are present. But even people without sores or a rash can spread syphilis.
The infection is spread from intimate physical contact, like during sex. It may also be passed from a pregnant person to the developing fetus.
In the United States, it is most common among gay men, bisexual men, and men who have sex with men.
Diagnosing syphilis may involve a number of tests. These may include:
Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics. This may include:
However, antibiotics will not repair damage that a syphilis infection has already caused.
Telling Your PartnerIt is important to tell your partner if you are diagnosed with this sexually transmitted infection, even if you don’t have any symptoms and feel fine.When telling a partner about a diagnosis of syphilis, give them time to absorb what you are telling them.It is a good idea not to pressure them into making decisions about your sex life or relationship straight away.Your partner should also get tested for syphilis.
Telling Your Partner
It is important to tell your partner if you are diagnosed with this sexually transmitted infection, even if you don’t have any symptoms and feel fine.When telling a partner about a diagnosis of syphilis, give them time to absorb what you are telling them.It is a good idea not to pressure them into making decisions about your sex life or relationship straight away.Your partner should also get tested for syphilis.
It is important to tell your partner if you are diagnosed with this sexually transmitted infection, even if you don’t have any symptoms and feel fine.
When telling a partner about a diagnosis of syphilis, give them time to absorb what you are telling them.
It is a good idea not to pressure them into making decisions about your sex life or relationship straight away.
Your partner should also get tested for syphilis.
Summary
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that can spread through intimate sexual contact. It can cause sores that may occur on or near the genitals, anus, rectum, mouth, or lips. It may also cause a rash and other symptoms like swollen lymph glands.
Syphilis in people with penises can be diagnosed with a swab test, physical exam, or blood test. It can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
It is contagious, and it is important for those diagnosed with syphilis to inform their sexual partners.
Frequently Asked QuestionsTypically, a syphilis rash will appear on the palms or soles of the feet. But it may be too faint to notice.The rash from syphilis can last from two to six weeks but in some people may recur on and off for up to two years.A syphilis rash is not typically itchy, and some people may not even notice it.In other people, the rash will appear red, brown, or rough.Symptoms of syphilis like sores and rashes may go away without treatment. However, treatment is still necessary to stop the infection from progressing to more serious stages.If left untreated, syphilis can cause a variety of complications that can be life-threatening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, a syphilis rash will appear on the palms or soles of the feet. But it may be too faint to notice.
The rash from syphilis can last from two to six weeks but in some people may recur on and off for up to two years.
A syphilis rash is not typically itchy, and some people may not even notice it.In other people, the rash will appear red, brown, or rough.
A syphilis rash is not typically itchy, and some people may not even notice it.
In other people, the rash will appear red, brown, or rough.
Symptoms of syphilis like sores and rashes may go away without treatment. However, treatment is still necessary to stop the infection from progressing to more serious stages.If left untreated, syphilis can cause a variety of complications that can be life-threatening.
Symptoms of syphilis like sores and rashes may go away without treatment. However, treatment is still necessary to stop the infection from progressing to more serious stages.
If left untreated, syphilis can cause a variety of complications that can be life-threatening.
5 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.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About syphilis.MedlinePlus.Syphilis.Penn Medicine.Syphilis.NHS.Testing - syphilis.Nemours TeensHealth.Telling your partner you have an STD.
5 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.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About syphilis.MedlinePlus.Syphilis.Penn Medicine.Syphilis.NHS.Testing - syphilis.Nemours TeensHealth.Telling your partner you have an STD.
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.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About syphilis.MedlinePlus.Syphilis.Penn Medicine.Syphilis.NHS.Testing - syphilis.Nemours TeensHealth.Telling your partner you have an STD.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About syphilis.
MedlinePlus.Syphilis.
Penn Medicine.Syphilis.
NHS.Testing - syphilis.
Nemours TeensHealth.Telling your partner you have an STD.
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