What Are The Chances Of Getting Syphilis From Kissing?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are becoming prevalent around the world, and it helps to know the chances of acquiring them.

Here’s a FAQ: Can you get syphilis from kissing?

Syphilis is one of the most common diseases faced by many, so it’s important that we have a quick discussion about its symptoms, how they’re contracted, and the most effective preventive measures available.

The best way to answer the question above is by giving the exact definition of syphilis.

What Is Syphilis?

Syphilis is among the extremely contagious STDs known to man. It’s caused by a bacteria called Treponema pallidum. As it is a bacterial infection, it’s fortunately treatable with proper medical attention.

How Is Syphilis Transmitted?

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.

Syphilis: The Four Stages

Syphilis undergoes four stages:

1. The primary stage is when the sores or chancres appear.
2. The second stage involves rashes and swollen lymph nodes, while the infected person may also run a fever.
3. The third stage is the latent stage when the symptoms on the first two stages may or may not continue to appear.
4. The fourth stage involves severe medical problems, which may already affect the major organs in the body.

From the first stage, syphilis is already contagious, and this is the best chance you can get to have it treated right away.

How To Treat Syphilis

Bacterial infection 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.

Conclusion

It’s a popular 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, and, 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 kinds of STDs.

With a higher probability of getting infected with syphilis, it’s best to take precautions early on in the relationship. Especially if either or both parties have had multiple partners in the past, don’t hesitate to get tested and receive proper treatments.

Would you like to find out how you can schedule an online appointment with a doctor for STD testing and treatment? Check out CallonDoc today!