Syphilis
Syphilis is a common, curable STD. Cases in the U.S. are at record highs, including cases when people pass syphilis to their babies during pregnancy (congenital syphilis).
Many people have syphilis and don’t know it. Even when symptoms are not present, left untreated, syphilis can cause serious health problems, including miscarriage during pregnancy.
Anyone who is sexually active, including people who are pregnant, should get tested for syphilis. Syphilis is treated with antibiotics. Doxy PEP is an option to prevent infection within 72 hours after exposure.
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Click on a question below to learn more about syphilis.
- How do you get syphilis?
- What are the symptoms of syphilis?
- What's involved in syphilis testing?
- How do you treat and cure syphilis?
- What happens if syphilis is not treated?
How do you get syphilis?
Syphilis is a bacterial infection transmitted from skin-to-skin contact through vaginal and anal sex. It is less common – but still possible – to get it from oral sex.
A mother can also pass syphilis to a baby during pregnancy and childbirth if the mother has it and is not treated. This is called congenital syphilis. Cases in the U.S. are on the rise, with many being preventable through prenatal care and screening.
What are the symptoms of syphilis?
Like most STDs, syphilis often does not show symptoms. The only way to know is to get tested.
There are several stages of syphilis and symptoms can vary with each stage. In the primary stage, symptoms may include sores on the vulva, vagina, anus, penis, scrotum, or mouth, but many people do not notice or have sores. Syphilis sores (called a chancre) are usually firm, round, and painless, or sometimes open and wet.
In the secondary stage, symptoms often include a rash – which can be hard to see and usually does not itch. You may feel sick and have mild flu-like symptoms, like a slight fever, tiredness, sore throat, swollen glands, headache, and muscle aches.
What's involved in syphilis testing?
Syphilis is tested with a blood sample. If you have open sores, a healthcare provider may gently swab the area to take a sample of fluid and test it.
If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, ask to get tested for syphilis and other common STDs. When diagnosed and treated during pregnancy, congenital syphilis is entirely preventable.
To find free and low-cost STD testing near you, go to greaterthan.org/services.
How do you treat and cure syphilis?
When diagnosed early, syphilis can be easily cured with antibiotics (usually penicillin) prescribed by a healthcare provider.
It is important to complete the full treatment, as prescribed by a healthcare provider, even if symptoms go away sooner. The infection stays in the body until the antibiotics course is completed.
Some healthcare providers may give a separate dose of antibiotics for your partner(s) to avoid re-infecting each other or anyone else. Do not have sex until you have finished treatment.
Get tested again in 3-4 months to make sure the infection is gone and you were not re-exposed.
If you were exposed to syphilis within the last three days, doxy PEP may help. This medication must be taken within 72 hours, ideally within 24 hours, after sex to prevent infection. Find doxy PEP near you.
What happens if syphilis is not treated?
Syphilis is easily cured with antibiotics in the early stages. Left untreated, syphilis can cause tumors, blindness, and paralysis, damage the nervous system, brain and other organs, and may even kill you.
If you are pregnant and have syphilis that is not treated, it can be passed to the baby during pregnancy or birth – called congenital syphilis. Congenital syphilis can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects, or infant death. Impact on the baby’s health can vary due to how long the mother has syphilis without treatment but can cause severe health issues.
The information on this page is adapted from the CDC and Planned Parenthood.
Getting Tested
HIV and other STD testing is available at most doctor’s offices and health clinics. Many health departments also offer testing. It’s fast, easy and most people pay little or nothing.
Doxy PEP!
Plan B for some common STDS.
Doxy PEP is medication taken within 72 hours after sex to prevent some common STDs. Studies show doxy PEP is very effective in reducing the risk of getting syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia among men who have sex with men and transgender women. Learn more about this important STD prevention tool.
