How is syphilis treated in men

If you are pregnant and have syphilis, you can give the infection to your unborn baby. Having syphilis can lead to a low birth weight baby. It can also make it more likely you will deliver your baby too early or stillborn a baby born dead. To protect your baby, you should be tested for syphilis at least once during your pregnancy.

Receive immediate treatment if you test positive. An infected baby may be born without signs or symptoms of disease. However, if not treated immediately, the baby may develop serious problems within a few weeks. Untreated babies can have health problems such as cataracts, deafness, or seizures, and can die. During the first primary stage of syphilis, you may notice a single sore or multiple sores.

The sore is the location where syphilis entered your body. Sores are usually but not always firm, round, and painless. Because the sore is painless, it can easily go unnoticed. The sore usually lasts 3 to 6 weeks and heals regardless of whether or not you receive treatment. Even after the sore goes away, you must still receive treatment. This will stop your infection from moving to the secondary stage. Mucous membrane lesions are sores in your mouth, vagina, or anus.

This stage usually starts with a rash on one or more areas of your body. The rash can show up when your primary sore is healing or several weeks after the sore has healed. Other symptoms you may have can include fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue feeling very tired.

The symptoms from this stage will go away whether or not you receive treatment. It can usually be cured with a short course of antibiotics. You can catch syphilis more than once, even if you have been treated for it before. The symptoms of syphilis are not always obvious and may eventually disappear, but you'll usually remain infected unless you get treated. If it's left untreated for years, syphilis can spread to the brain or other parts of the body and cause serious long-term problems.

You should get tested as soon as possible if you're worried you could have syphilis. The test for syphilis usually involves a blood test and removing a sample of fluid from any sores using a swab similar to a cotton bud. Call a sexual health clinic if you need help or advice. Syphilis develops when T. The infection can pass from a woman to a fetus during pregnancy or to an infant during delivery. This type is called congenital syphilis. Syphilis cannot spread through shared contact with objects, such as doorknobs, eating utensils, and toilet seats.

Having syphilis once does not mean that a person has protection from it going forward. The VDRL test can test for the presence of syphilis. Learn more about how what it is, how it works, and symptoms a person should look for. The secondary stage of syphilis has symptoms including sores on the genitals, mouth, and anus. Diagnosis involves a physical exam. Learn more about…. The rapid plasma reagin test is a simple blood test that screens for syphilis.

Doctors recommend the RPR test when they suspect that a person may have…. What to know about syphilis. Medically reviewed by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph. What is syphilis? Symptoms Is it curable? Treatment When is it safe to have sex? Tests and diagnosis Causes Risk factors Prevention Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection. Is it curable? When is it safe to have sex? Tests and diagnosis. Risk factors. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals.

Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Here are some of the things your doctor may ask:. If you think you might have syphilis, it's best to avoid sex until you've talked with your doctor. If you do engage in sexual activity before seeing your doctor, be sure to follow safe sex practices, such as using a condom. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.

Diagnosis Tests Syphilis can be diagnosed by testing samples of: Blood. Blood tests can confirm the presence of antibodies that the body produces to fight infection. The antibodies to the syphilis-causing bacteria remain in your body for years, so the test can be used to determine a current or past infection.

Cerebrospinal fluid. If it's suspected that you have nervous system complications of syphilis, your doctor may also suggest collecting a sample of cerebrospinal fluid through a lumbar puncture. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter.