Syphilis Health Article

Treatment

Antibiotics are used to treat syphilis. The antibiotic of choice is penicillin, yet doxycycline may be used as an alternative in individuals with a penicillin allergy.

The penicillin is either injected into a muscle or vein, depending on what stage syphilis you have.

Several hours after treatment of early stages of syphilis, you may have a reaction called Jarish-Herxheimer reaction. Symptoms of this reaction include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Nausea
• General feeling of being ill
• General joint aches
• Genera muscle aches

These symptoms usually disappear within 24 hours.

You must have follow-up blood tests at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months to make sure the infection is gone. You should avoid sexual conduct until two follow-up tests show that the infection has been cured. Syphilis is extremely contagious in the primary and secondary stages.

Syphilis is a reportable infection -- that means that doctors must reported any cases of syphilis to public health authorities, so that potentially infected sexual partners may be identified and treated.

Expectations (prognosis)

With prompt treatment and follow-up care, syphilis can be cured.

Late-stage syphilis can lead to long-term health problems, despite therapy.

Complications

Complications of untreated syphilis include:

• Neurosyphilis
• Heart and blood vessel problems, including aneurysms and inflammation of the aorta
• Damage to the skin and bones

Calling your health care provider

Notify your health care provider if you develop signs or symptoms of syphilis. Several conditions may have similar symptoms, so you will need to have a complete medical exam.

Also call your health care provider for an appointment if you have had sexual contact with someone who has syphilis.

Prevention

If you are sexually active, practice safe sex and always use condoms.

All pregnant women should be screened for syphilis.

References

Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. London: Churchill Livingstone; 2005:2274-2276.