What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria treponema pallidium. It is passed on via unprotected sex (sex without a condom) and by sharing sex toys.
Safer sex is the best way to prevent syphilis. This means using a condom every time you have sex (vaginal, anal or oral). Other ways to prevent syphilis is to use a dental dam for contact with a partner’s vagina or anus during oral sex and covering any sex toys with a condom and washing after use.
The first symptoms of syphilis can take 10 days to three weeks to appear after infection. The most common symptom is a painless sore that appears where the virus was transmitted –normally on the penis, vagina or anus. Your lymph glands (in the neck, groin or armpit) may also swell.
The sore will disappear in 2-6 weeks. However, if the virus itself is not treated, it will move to the second stage. Symptoms of secondary syphilis begin a few weeks after the disappearance of the sore and include: a non-itchy skin rash;  small skin growths on the vulva (in women) and around the anus (in both men and women); flu-like symptoms such as tiredness, headaches, joint pains and fever; swollen lymph glands; weight loss and hair loss. These symptoms may disappear within a few weeks, or come and go over a period of months.
Without treatment, syphilis becomes ‘latent’ whereby you do not experience any symptoms even though you remain infected. This stage can happen for years, even decades and there is a danger of moving onto the most dangerous stage: tertiary syphilis.
A third of people who are not treated for syphilis develop serious symptoms at this stage including: stroke, dementia, loss of co-ordination, numbness, paralysis, blindness, deafness, heart disease and skin rashes. At this stage, syphilis can also cause death.
This is why it is important to see a healthcare professional and get tested and treated in the early stages of syphilis.
Without treatment, syphilis or chindoko can lead to serious health issues, particularly in the later stages such as stroke, meningitis, deafness, visual problems and dementia.
Caught early, syphilis can be cured with antibiotics. A single dose of penicillin is very effective in the early stages and fairly effective in the later stages.
If you are allergic to penicillin, you will probably be given azithromycin or doxycycline instead. Regardless of the treatment, you will need to have regular blood tests for at least a year after treatment. n