Published on Mar 09, 2021 | 10:41 AM
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Syphilis is one of the most common diseases faced by many throughout the United States. It’s important that we have a quick discussion about its symptoms, how they’re contracted, and the most effective preventive measures available.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause serious health problems if left untreated. It is caused by a bacteria called Treponema pallidum. Since it is a bacterial infection, it is treatable with proper medical attention.
Direct contact with a person’s infected area will allow the bacteria to enter another person’s system through the mucous membranes or any opening on the skin. Syphilis is usually contracted through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse.
In some cases, one can get syphilis by merely kissing a person with a syphilis sore (chancre) on the mouth. Chancres can also infect the vagina, penis, anus, or scrotum. Even though chancres are painless, they’re definitely highly infectious. This means that the person is required to seek immediate help before getting involved with any sexual activities.
Syphilis can also be transmitted from mother to child if the mother is infected during pregnancy and childbirth.
As it develops in the body, syphilis appears differently over time and comes in four distinct stages. As covered in greater detail in the CallonDoc Guide to Syphilis, these stages are identified by:
Stage 1: Characterized by the development of a painless sore or ulcer, known as a chancre, at the site of infection. Symptoms typically take 21 days to appear but can take anywhere from 10 to 90 days to appear after exposure.
Stage 2: Marked by the emergence of a skin rash, mucous membrane lesions, and flu-like symptoms, indicating the systemic spread of the infection. After the first appearance of the primary chancre, the second stage can take weeks to a few months to occur.
Stage 3: Known as the latent stage, the third stage of syphilis can result in the disappearance of symptoms for several years and normally happens around a decade or more after the initial infection. While symptoms may not be present, the infection is still very much inside the body with gradual damage to internal organs occurring at this time.
Stage 4: Considered the most severe, the fourth stage of syphilis can occur around a decade or more after the initial infection and is identified by the complications developed throughout the third stage. Requiring medical intervention, patients at this stage typically cannot manage the condition on their own.
Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. Therefore, antibiotic treatment prevents Syphilis from progressing to further stages, particularly with penicillin. It's much quicker to fight off the bacteria when you catch it even before it has shown symptoms. If you’ve been infected for many years without receiving any treatment, you may have to face life-threatening health complications.
It’s best to find out and get tested early on to follow the best course of action for your healing.
It’s a common concern for the public whether Syphilis can be contracted through kissing or not.
There are only a few well-known STDs that can be transmittable by an act as innocent as a kiss. The answer is yes. Syphilis is one of them. Unfortunately, it can be contagious through chancres present in the mouth, which are not always visible. This means that your chances of getting syphilis are increased if you compare it to other types of STDs.
With a higher probability of getting infected with Syphilis, it’s best to take precautions early on in the relationship. If either or both parties have had multiple partners in the past, do not hesitate to get tested and receive proper treatments.
Call-On-Doc is the #1 Rated Online Doctor for STDs. Get the treatment you deserve at Call-On-Doc today! It's Your Doctor, Your Way!
English graduate and Call-On-Doc’s medical resource guide, Wayne C. Hahne is an experienced and passionate medical education content expert. Through diligent research, provider interviews and utilizing the industry's leading resources for wellness information, it is Mr. Hahne’s personal mission to educate the general public on medical conditions with in-depth and easy-to-understand written guides.
Risks Associated With Leaving STDs Untreated
Leaving sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) untreated can have serious consequences, as many STDs can lead to long-term health complications such as infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, and an increased risk of HIV transmission. Additionally, some STDs can progress silently without noticeable symptoms, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment to prevent further health risks and potential transmission to others.
Jun 29, 2022 | 3:37 PM
The Call-On-Doc Guide to Syphilis
Suspected or confirmed in many famous figures throughout history, like Blackbeard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Ivan the Terrible, and Al Capone, to name some of the many, syphilis has been constant throughout our history. (1)(2) Since 2000, the sexually transmitted infection has seen a year-over-year rise with no signs of stopping. (3) Data from the Center for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) show the following reports for syphilis in the US.
Leaving STDs untreated can lead to long-term health complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility in women, and higher chances of developing HIV. This is why regular sexual health testing and treatment are important to stay on top of your overall health and well-being.
Jul 25, 2023 | 10:22 AM
What is an STD Window Period?
A "window period" is a common term used for STDs to reference the time between when a person is exposed to the STD causing pathogen, bacteria, or parasite to when it can be detected on an STD testing. While early detection can help alert a patient to get treatment quickly and avoid some of the long-term risks and effects of STDs, the window period is an important bit of knowledge to understand due to the possibility of a false positive or false negative.
Mar 28, 2024 | 10:57 AM
Risks Associated With Leaving STDs Untreated
Leaving sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) untreated can have serious consequences, as many STDs can lead to long-term health complications such as infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, and an increased risk of HIV transmission. Additionally, some STDs can progress silently without noticeable symptoms, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment to prevent further health risks and potential transmission to others.
Jun 29, 2022 | 3:37 PM
The Call-On-Doc Guide to Syphilis
Suspected or confirmed in many famous figures throughout history, like Blackbeard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Ivan the Terrible, and Al Capone, to name some of the many, syphilis has been constant throughout our history. (1)(2) Since 2000, the sexually transmitted infection has seen a year-over-year rise with no signs of stopping. (3) Data from the Center for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) show the following reports for syphilis in the US.
Leaving STDs untreated can lead to long-term health complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility in women, and higher chances of developing HIV. This is why regular sexual health testing and treatment are important to stay on top of your overall health and well-being.
Jul 25, 2023 | 10:22 AM
What is an STD Window Period?
A "window period" is a common term used for STDs to reference the time between when a person is exposed to the STD causing pathogen, bacteria, or parasite to when it can be detected on an STD testing. While early detection can help alert a patient to get treatment quickly and avoid some of the long-term risks and effects of STDs, the window period is an important bit of knowledge to understand due to the possibility of a false positive or false negative.
Mar 28, 2024 | 10:57 AM
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