Other bodily fluids can also carry infection.
Syphilis progresses in four stages, each with its own signs and symptoms.
Syphilis can be a serious disease, but it’s very easy to cure when it’s found andtreatedearly.
Jim Craigmyle / Getty Images
Jim Craigmyle / Getty Images
What Is Syphilis?
If syphilis is treated early, it’s highly curable.
Syphilis symptoms can go away for many years, but the infection remains.
It can be fatal if it reactivates and affects vital organs.
What Are the Symptoms of Syphilis in Women?
Syphilis progresses in four definite stages, each of which has distinct signs andsymptoms.
The stages are primary, secondary, inactive (or latent), and late (or tertiary).
Sores appear at the point of contact with a partner’s chancre.
If untreated, it can progress to a potentially serious phase.
It can last for years.You may not be infectious during the late phase.
If you are not treated, however, your syphilis may progress and become serious.
Because it can damage vital organs like the heart, it can be fatal.
Lesions can develop on organs like the skin, liver, and other body tissues.
How to Practice Safe Sex
Syphilis isspreadthrough vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Used correctly, condoms will help prevent infection from vaginal or anal sex.
If a syphilis sore isn’t covered by the condom, the infection can still spread.
Refraining from sex is the only way to completely prevent getting or spreading syphilis.
Testing will let you know if you are infected.
Even if you are treated, you’re able to get syphilis again.
Summary
Syphilis is an infection transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
The sores will heal, but the syphilis infection is still present.
They will go away, but you still have the infection.
Syphilis can reappear years later and be very serious, affecting your sight, hearing, and vital organs.
It may even be fatal.
However, when found early, syphilis is easy to cure.
If you have a reason to think you may have syphilis, get a simple test to find out.
A Word From Verywell
Syphilis is a highly treatable infection.
If you see a sore but it goes away, don’t assume you’re cured.
Be sure to discuss your symptoms and treatment options with your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Syphilis symptoms can appear and then go away.
The second stage of symptoms will also go away, but you still have syphilis.
The third stage, when there are no symptoms, can last for decades.
A simple test will tell you whether you have it.
About 40% of babies born to women with syphilis will be stillborn or die as newborns.
It can be cured easily if caught early.
If you have syphilis, you canbreastfeedas long as your baby does not come in contact with a sore.
If you have sores anywhere on your breast, pump your milk until the sores heal.
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OByrne P, MacPherson P.Syphilis.BMJ.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pregnancy and HIV, viral hepatitis, STD, & TB prevention.
National Institutes of Health.Sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.
