Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection. Generally, it's a very rare STI, but it can cause serious and permanent damage to the body if it isn't cured. In rare cases, particularly where treatment isn't available, syphilis infection can cause death.
Syphilis infection is very uncommon in Canada, but the number of cases is rising quickly. From 1997 to 2004, infection rate rose 908%.
Transmission
Syphilis is spread through unprotected anal, vaginal, and oral sex. An infected pregnant woman can also pass along the infection to her unborn child.
The best way to prevent syphilis is to use condoms every time you have sex, and condoms/dental dams during oral sex.
Symptoms
Untreated syphilis infection can progress through four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. It is most infectious in the first two stages, and does the most harm during the final two stages. Syphilis produces a wide range of symptoms that mimic other illnesses, and has become known as "The Great Imitator" for this reason. It is often very difficult to diagnose because it mimics for many other illnesses.
Each stage of syphilis produces different symptoms. However, some people may not experience symptoms at all during some stages, and other may have some symptoms and not others. These people with few or no symptoms are still infectious and can still progress to later stages of syphilis infection.
As a person progresses from stage to stage, the symptoms of syphilis may go away without treatment. This doesn't mean that the infection is gone. A person may think that the infection has cleared on its own after symptoms disappear, but the infection will persist and long-term infection can cause serious and permanent damage to the heart, brain, bones, or blood vessels.
Primary Infection Symptoms
The main symptom of primary syphilis is a single open sore at the point of infection, typically on the genitals, anus, or throat. This sore will typically appear between 10 to 90 days after infection.
This sore will heal spontaneously in 3 to 8 weeks, but this doesn't mean that the syphilis infection is gone or that the person is no longer infectious. Because the sore is painless and heals on its own, some people may not seek treatment, and may even forget about the sore entirely after awhile. If you develop this sore, it is very important to seek treatment.
Secondary Infection Symptoms
Symptoms of secondary syphilis generally occur three months after contracting the infection. They mimic flu-like symptoms and may include hair loss (including the eyebrows and eyelashes), muscle and joint pain, rashes (particularly on the palms and soles of the feet), and fever and swollen glands. People with secondary syphilis may also just generally feel unwell and may lose weight.
Again, these symptoms typically disappear on their own, but this doesn't
mean that the person is no longer infected or that they can no longer
spread the infection to others. Secondary symptoms usually last 3
to 12 weeks, but may persist for years until the infection moves into
the latent stage. Once in the latent stage, an infected person may
still have "relapses" in which secondary symptoms will reappear.
Latent Infection Symptoms
After primary and secondary infection symptoms disappear, an infected person will enter a latent stage of syphilis, during which they will have no symptoms. However, this doesn't mean they are no longer infected, and in the early latent infection the person may still transmit the infection to others. During this time, the syphilis bacteria may continue to multiply and attack the body. A person in the latent stage may occasionally return to the symptoms of secondary infection. This latent stage may last for one year up to 30 years.
Tertiary Infection Symptoms
Tertiary syphilis occurs in 40% of untreated infected persons. This stage is very destructive. It is the stage at which the long-term damage caused by syphilis bacteria results in various major health complications. These complications can include major internal or external sores, serious cardiovascular and mental health problems, and damage to other organs such as the eyes and ears. In some cases, these complications can lead to death.
Testing and Treatment
Syphilis testing is performed through a blood test, or by swabbing an infected sore.
Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics. Remember - a person can reacquire
syphilis infection, so their partner should be tested, too.
Impact if not treated
Untreated syphilis can cause potentially life-threatening complications, and permanent damage to the brain, heart, bones, and blood vessels. Sometimes, syphilis can cause mental disorders or neurological problems. In rare cases, it can be fatal. Syphilis is curable with antibiotics but over time it can cause permanent damage to your health, so it's important to get tested for STIs if you are at high risk or if you are experiencing symptoms.
Because syphilis can cause lesions and sores on the genitals or anus, it increases the risk of HIV transmission.
Is it contagious?
Syphilis is most infectious during the primary and secondary stages, and can also be infectious during the early latent stage (particularly during any relapses to the secondary stage symptoms).
What do I tell my partner?
Syphilis is easily treatable, but the longer it goes untreated, the more harm it can cause. Your partner will need to be tested and/or treated immediately. It is very important to be honest with your sexual partners. The earlier your partner knows they may be infected the more likely they will be to avoid long-term health complications.
When can I have sex again?
You shouldn't have sex again until you have been treated, your symptoms have disappeared, your tests for syphilis are negative, and your healthcare provider informs you that you are no longer infectious. Your partner should also be tested.