Understanding Syphilis: Stages, Symptoms, and the Importance of Early Detection
Doctor explains the stages of syphilis and why early detection is crucial. Learn about the symptoms, risks, and importance of timely treatment to prevent serious health complications. Stay informed and stay healthy.
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Topic Breakdown
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that spreads through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the infection. It is caused by a bacteria and can be treated with antibiotic medicine. However, if left untreated, syphilis can lead to serious health problems including blindness, and damage to your brain, heart, eyes, and nervous system. Understanding the stages of syphilis is crucial for early detection and treatment.
Syphilis progresses through four different stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. Each stage presents different symptoms, and individuals are particularly contagious during the first and second stages. Let's delve into each stage to understand what happens and why early treatment is essential.
**Primary Syphilis**
The first stage of syphilis occurs 2 to 12 weeks after exposure to someone with the infection. During this stage, a smooth, hard sore called a chancre develops on your genitals or mouth. A chancre is small and usually painless, so you might not even notice it. This sore will go away on its own within a few weeks or months, but this does not mean the infection is gone. Without treatment, the syphilis bacteria remain in your body and can move on to the second stage. It's important to note that you can pass syphilis to your sexual partners through vaginal, anal, or oral sex during this stage.
**Secondary Syphilis**
About one to six months after the chancre disappears, secondary syphilis begins. During this stage, a rough, bumpy rash appears, which can cover your entire body, including the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. This rash typically doesn't itch. Other symptoms may include fever, fatigue, wart-like sores, muscle aches, weight loss, headaches, hair loss, and swollen lymph nodes. You remain contagious during this stage and can pass the infection through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. These symptoms can come and go for months or years. Even if the rash and other symptoms disappear, you still have syphilis and need treatment to prevent further complications.
**Latent Syphilis**
If untreated during the first two stages, syphilis can progress to the latent stage. In this stage, there are no outward signs or symptoms, but the infection continues to damage your heart, bones, nerves, and organs. Some people might experience mild flare-ups from time to time. The latent stage can last up to 20 years. Although it is rare to pass syphilis to your sexual partners during this stage, the infection can still progress to the late stage without treatment.
**Tertiary Syphilis**
The fourth stage, known as late or tertiary syphilis, occurs in about 20 percent of individuals who do not receive treatment earlier. This stage can cause a range of serious health problems, including brain damage (dementia and cognitive health issues), heart disease, movement disorders, muscle problems, nerve damage, seizures, and vision problems, including blindness. Not everyone progresses to this stage, either because the infection resolves on its own or because the symptoms are too mild to notice. However, for those who do, the consequences can be severe and life-altering.
**Why Is This Important?**
Understanding the stages of syphilis is important for several reasons:
1. **Increasing Prevalence**: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that is on the rise. When I was in medical school in 2008, syphilis was considered uncommon. However, by 2022, the levels in the UK were at their highest since 1948. While still relatively uncommon compared to other STIs like chlamydia, which is about 20 times more common, the increasing incidence of syphilis makes awareness and education essential.
2. **Treatability**: Syphilis is treatable, especially when detected early. Early treatment can prevent the later, more severe complications associated with the infection. If you have symptoms of syphilis, a sexual partner has informed you they have syphilis or another STI, you recently had sex with a new partner without using a condom, you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, or you have injected drugs using a needle also used by someone who might have syphilis, it is crucial to get tested.
3. **Prevention**: Syphilis can be prevented. Consistently and correctly using condoms can help protect against syphilis and other STIs. Prevention is always better than cure, and taking proactive steps can safeguard your health and that of your partners.
For more detailed information on treatment and prevention, check out the links in the description box of this video, including where you can access free STI testing in the UK and the USA.
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Thank you for reading, and stay informed to stay healthy.
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