Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium "Treponema pallidum". It is very infectious and can cause irreversible damage to nerves, body tissues and the brain. If left untreated, it could even lead to death. However, it is possible to recover from this disease if diagnosed in the early stages. In the more advanced stages, more aggressive treatment is needed.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Discuss the Disease with a Doctor
Step 1. Recognize the early symptoms of syphilis
If you think you have this infection, you need to see a doctor to get a diagnosis and treatment. Syphilis has several stages of development, each with various symptoms. The latter can be fluctuating, but it does not mean that the disease is gone unless a cure has been followed. In the latent phase, the symptoms disappear, but severe damage to the brain, liver, nerves and bones could occur. Early symptoms of syphilis include:
- A syphiloma (or chancre), which is a small sore that appears near the mouth, anus, penis or vagina. Typically, it is accompanied by swollen lymph nodes in the groin area;
- A rash that starts from the torso and spreads to the rest of the body (including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet) and indicates the onset of the second stage of the disease
- Warts around the mouth and / or genitals
- Muscle aches;
- Fever,
- Throat inflammation
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
Step 2. Learn about the complications that occur in the late stage
In the latent or later stages, the first symptoms disappear. If left untreated, an infected person may continue to carry syphilis for a long time. After 10-30 years from the initial infection it goes into an advanced stage, causing severe symptoms, including:
- Difficulty coordinating muscle movements
- Paralysis;
- Numbness;
- Blindness;
- Dementia;
- Damage to internal organs with a high risk of death.
Step 3. Get tested for syphilis
There are several tests to detect this disease and the stage of its development. It is possible to analyze the secretions of ulcers, carry out a cerebrospinal fluid examination or carry out an echocardiogram. Blood tests are usually the fastest and cheapest way to diagnose syphilis.
- Blood tests are used to confirm the presence of the antibodies produced by the body so that it can fight the disease.
- The analysis of the secretions produced by the ulcers detects the presence of bacteria, but they can only be performed when sores form.
- Cerebrospinal fluid examinations are necessary when the disease is thought to have spread to the brain area.
Step 4. If you are pregnant, tell your doctor before you start treating yourself
Some antibiotics can be dangerous for the development of the fetus if taken during gestation. Penicillin is typically used to treat syphilis in pregnant women. Penicillin G is the only means of preventing the transmission of this disease to the child. During pregnancy, syphilis increases the risk of stillbirth.
Step 5. Learn about alternative antibiotics if you are allergic to penicillin
Other antibiotics capable of treating syphilis include tetracyclines, doxycycline, cephalothin, and erythromycin. Consult your doctor to be more aware of the action and effects. Do not take medications that have not been prescribed for you.
- Tetracyclines and doxycycline are part of the tetracyclines class of antibiotics.
- Cephalothin belongs to the cephalosporin class.
- Erythromycin is a macrolide.
Part 2 of 3: Treat yourself properly
Step 1. Get treatment for syphilis
If the disease is in its early stages, you will probably only need one dose of injected antibiotics. However, you will need to repeat the tests over the next 12 months to find out if you have successfully eradicated it. You will need to undergo another treatment if the infection has not gone away.
- On the first day of treatment, the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction may occur, which disappears within 24 hours at the latest. It includes fever, chills, nausea, aches and headaches.
- Despite the therapy during pregnancy, the newborn will also need to be treated.
Step 2. Don't skip doses
If your treatment plan involves taking multiple doses over a few days or weeks, you need to be specific. If you do not follow all the treatment, there is a risk that the infection will not completely eradicate. Consequently, you will have to repeat it.
- Antibiotic treatments are most effective if you follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist. Furthermore, by following them carefully, you can prevent the development of bacterial strains resistant to antibiotics.
- Treatment of secondary syphilis can last a year, but it is essential to ward off the permanent disability that could be caused by tertiary syphilis.
Step 3. Repeat the analyzes
This way, not only will you make sure that you have cleared the infection, but you can also have a quick diagnosis and new treatment in case it persists. During the diagnostic check-up period, you must avoid any sexual contact. Also, take the opportunity to get tested for HIV.
Having syphilis once does not make you immune to this disease. You may get infected again even after it has been eradicated
Part 3 of 3: Preventing the Transmission of Syphilis During Treatment
Step 1. Refrain from sexual contact
If you have syphilis, you need to protect others from the disease, even if you are already on antibiotic treatment. You can still pass it on, even when the physical symptoms are in remission. If you are infected, it is your responsibility to avoid all sexual contact (oral, anal and vaginal) during treatment to prevent transmission.
Also, if sores have formed on the mouth, you should not kiss anyone as the infection could pass through the wounds
Step 2. Inform all sexual partners
Also consider exes who may have been exposed to the same infection before you started treatment. It is essential that all people you have had sex with are informed so that they can undergo appropriate analyzes and seek treatment if necessary, or decide to refrain from sexual intercourse until you are completely healed. Otherwise, the risk of transmission could increase.
Step 3. Use a condom
This barrier method can help you prevent syphilis transmission during therapy. Make sure you use it during all vaginal, oral and anal intercourse. Keep in mind that it is only effective if all infected areas are covered in a way that prevents contact with mucous membranes or sores.
Be sure to use the dental dam or other latex barrier methods when having oral intercourse with a woman
Advice
You can avoid getting syphilis by abstaining from sex or by having a monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested for sexually transmitted diseases and has no infections
Warnings
- Make sure you eradicate syphilis and get checked. If you let the infection get to the final stage of the third stage, there are no treatments that can cure it.
- Genital sores promote the transmission of HIV infection during sexual intercourse.
- Do not have sex if you have an abnormal discharge, pain or rash in the genital area. See your doctor as soon as possible.
- Condoms lubricated with spermicide are no more effective than others in preventing sexually transmitted diseases.
- If left untreated while pregnant, syphilis can infect and kill the fetus.
- Cases of syphilis (as well as other sexually transmitted infections) are on the rise for the first time since 2006. The risks associated with this disease are not necessarily known, so it is important to establish its severity.
