What Are the Symptoms and Signs of Syphilis?

During sexual activity, the bacteria syphilis can be transferred from person to person. If the infection is not treated, it can cause serious health problems. The disease can damage the liver, brain, heart, nerves and bones. It can also be passed to the unborn child.

The disease is highly contagious and can affect anyone. However, the incidence is higher in people who are 20 to 35 years old. The disease is most common in urban areas. The disease is also very difficult to diagnose. To ensure proper diagnosis and treatment, you should learn the symptoms and signs of syphilis. By knowing these, you can prevent the disease from progressing.

The syphilis sore is the first sign of the disease. It can appear anywhere in the body, but it usually begins on the lips and the vagina. It is not painful and it normally heals within six weeks. The chancre is a small, round sore that appears within 10 to 90 days after the bacteria enters the body. It is easily confused with harmless bumps.

If you are infected, you should receive a full course of antibiotics. You should notify your recent sexual partners of your condition and avoid sexual activities until your doctor says it is safe. You should be tested for other STDs. If you have not been tested for syphilis, you should do so.

A blood test is the primary way to determine if you have syphilis. Your blood is tested for the presence of antibodies to the infection. These tests can be performed in the laboratory or at the health department. They are usually performed in less than five minutes. The blood is then collected into a test tube. A positive result means that you have syphilis.

You can also test yourself for syphilis by swabbing the sore. This test can be done at home or in the clinic. A swab can be taken from the sore or a spinal tap can be done. If you have syphilis, your doctor will tell you if you need to undergo any other testing. If you are pregnant, you should receive a syphilis test during your pregnancy.

If you are infected with syphilis, it is possible that the disease will pass from you to your unborn child. During birth, your baby may get infected through the placenta. This can lead to stillbirth or miscarriage. If you are diagnosed with syphilis in the second half of your pregnancy, you should consider having an ultrasound of your fetus. It can be difficult to diagnose syphilis in the first trimester of your pregnancy. If you are pregnant and have syphilis, you should consider having a penicillin desensitization procedure to stop the infection from progressing.

There are two types of syphilis: primary and secondary. The signs and symptoms of each can differ depending on the stage of the disease. If you have syphilis, you should complete a full course of antibiotics and avoid sexual activity until your doctor tells you it is safe.