- Health A to Z
Expectations (prognosis)
This is considered a life-threatening complication of syphilis. How well you do depends on how severe the neurosyphilis is before treatment.
Complications
The symptoms can get slowly worse.
Calling your health care provider
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have had syphilis in the past and now have signs of neurological problems.
Prevention
Prompt diagnosis and treatment of the original syphilis infection can prevent neurosyphilis.
References
Hook EW. Syphilis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 340.
Tramont EC. Treponema pallidum (syphilis). In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2005: chap 235.
Screening for syphilis infection: Recommendation statement. Rockville MD, US Preventive Services Task Force: July 2008.
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Reviewer Info: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.; ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, 09/28/2008 |
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