Syphilis

ATLAS

About Syphilis

Syphilis: Unseen Threats and the Importance of Screening

Understanding a Persistent STD

Syphilis, an age-old sexually transmitted disease (STD), often operates in silence, with symptoms going unnoticed and potential long-term repercussions for those left untreated.

How is Syphilis transmitted?

Syphilis is transmitted through sexual contact, and the infected person can be infectious even without exhibiting symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

To discuss symptoms, it’s crucial to recognize the three stages of syphilis: primary, secondary, and tertiary.

Primary Syphilis:

Presents as painless ulcers around or on the genitals, persisting for any duration before disappearing. Even if symptoms vanish, the infection persists until treated.

Secondary Syphilis:

Exhibits symptoms over the body, commonly a blotchy, non-itchy rash, often seen on the hands and feet.

Tertiary Syphilis:

The hidden danger with no symptoms, making screening essential as syphilis may progress through or skip stages.

What are the long term problems?

Approximately 25% of untreated syphilis can progress to neurosyphilis. This involves the brain which can be irreversible if left too late. And once symptoms start to show (change in behaviour/character/personality) it already is too late. The issue can be halted with treatment but the damage done is not reversible.

Treatment: Nipping Syphilis in the Bud

First line treatment is an injection of antibiotic. Usually this is all that is needed but we would perform 3 monthly blood tests to ensure the disease is disappearing. In cases where there is allergy to the main antibiotic or the disease is not fully treated by the injection then a month long course of oral tablets are used instead.

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