Last Updated on June 4, 2020 by Stacy Sampson, DO
Syphilis STD Brief
These briefs are intended to give readers (specifically those readers who weren’t aware many of these STDs existed) an overview of each STD, their commonality, treatment options, and diagnostic tests available.
This information is by no means all-encompassing and The STI Project encourages using these briefs as primers and then further delving into the resources section when subsequent questions arise.
Syphilis Symptoms, Test & Treatment
Common? Somewhat common – Around 30,000-40,000 people infected in the U.S. annually
Symptoms Often, syphilis has no symptoms or has such mild symptoms that a person doesn’t notice them. Primary Stage — A painless sore or open, wet ulcer, which is called a chancre, appears. Chancres can appear on the genitals, in the vagina, on the cervix, lips, mouth, breasts, or anus. Swollen glands may also occur during the primary phase. Secondary Stage —Body rashes that last 2–6 weeks — often on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. There are many other symptoms, including mild fever, fatigue, sore throat, hair loss, weight loss, swollen glands, headache, and muscle pains. Late Stage — One out of three people who have syphilis that is not treated suffer serious damage to the nervous system, heart, brain, or other organs, and death may result.
Cure? Antibiotic
Bacterial/Viral/ Fungal/Parasitic Bacterial
Test Test fluid from open sores or blood test
Life-Long? No
Life-Threatening? Maybe, one out of three people who have syphilis that is not treated suffer serious damage to the nervous system, heart, brain, or other organs, and death may result
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Did this brief synopsis help clarify the STD or answer questions you had? Is there a category you’d like to see or something you think should be added to the quick overviews? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
- Detailed Syphilis Symptoms
- Think You Might Have an STD?
- Syphilis In-Depth
- Pictures of Syphilis
- Looking for more information about syphilis?
- Looking for STD testing centers, syphilis treatment, STD hotlines, or STD blogs and forums?
- Would you like to read stories about people living with an STD?
