How is it spread? How is it spread?
How is it spread? How is it spread?
How is it spread?
What is it?
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that’s spread through sex. It's easily cured with antibiotic medicine, but it can cause permanent damage if left untreated. Syphilis cases are at their highest reported levels in 20 years, so it’s important now, more than ever, to get tested regularly.
What are the symptoms?
There are four possible stages of syphilis infection. Some people only have symptoms from one stage and never have symptoms from other stages. Primary Stage A painless open sore typically on the penis, scrotum, vagina, vulva, rectum, anus, rectum, or mouth Secondary Stage A painless, non-itchy rash that is usually on the chest, back, palms, and soles of the feet. Mild flu-like symptoms Late Stage Blindness, paralysis, heart problems Latent Syphilis There aren’t symptoms in this stage. It is diagnosed by a positive syphilis blood test. * Damage to the brain, spinal cord, eyes, or hearing may happen at any stage, and some stages may overlap.
How is it spread?
Syphilis is spread from skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the infection––including vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Syphilis can also be spread from mother to child during childbirth. Syphilis sores and rashes heal over time even if a person does not receive treatment. However, that person is still able to pass syphilis to others. This means that even if someone doesn’t have symptoms, they may still have syphilis and can spread it. *You can't get syphilis from casual contact, like sharing food or drinks, hugging, holding hands, coughing, sneezing, sharing towels, or sitting on toilet seats.
How do I get tested?
You can get tested for syphilis even if you do not have any sores or symptoms. Usually, your provider will take a quick blood sample to test you for syphilis, or they may take a sample of fluid from a sore using a swab and test it. It is recommended for pregnant people to get tested regularly throughout their pregnancy.
How do I get treated?
Syphilis infection is curable in any stage. Most people with syphilis are treated with an antibiotic shot. If you’re getting treated for syphilis, avoid having sex for 7 days until you’ve finished your treatment. Your partner should also get tested and treated for syphilis so you don’t re-infect each other or anyone else.
How do you prevent it? You can prevent syphilis by:
Using a condom every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex Using a dam (a piece of thin, soft plastic or latex) to cover the vagina during oral sex or when rubbing female genitals together Washing sex toys between users, or using separate sex toys per person for toys made of porous materials Postpone sex until a partner with syphilis completes treatment Having sex with one person who does not have syphilis and is only having sex with you
Druid Sexual Health Clinic 1515 W. North Ave. (2nd Floor)
Baltimore, MD 21217 (410) 396-0176 Metro Subway: Penn-North Station
Eastern Sexual Health Clinic 1200 E. Fayette St. Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 396-9410 Metro Subway: Shot Tower
Find Us Online health.baltimorecity.gov endhivbaltimore.com
Updated January 23, 2022